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EAiiLY  NEW  ENGLAND  CA 1 1    HISMS 


A  BIBLIOGRAPHICAL  ACCOUNT  OF  SOME  CATECHISMS 

PUBLISHED  IE  YEAR   I8oo,  FOR 

USE    IN    NEW    ENGLAND 


Read,  in  iwut,  B       ki    imi    amkrk  an  Am  ,.  \r  its  Annua  l 

■■■    IN    WoRI  E8TBK,  Mi    rOBJ   I;    21 


WILBKKFOKCK    KAMKS 


L'KESS     OK     C  HAULS  8      HAMILTON 
311     Main    STRBB i 


SANTA   BARBARA 


ORDER  OF  ARRANGEMENT. 


Preliminary  Account,  5-19. 
Salem  Catechisms  ( 1641-19(8?),  19-21. 
Boston  Catechisms  1 1842-1669),  21-27. 
Rowley  Catechism  1 1642),  27  29, 

Newbury  Catechism  (1642?),  30,  31. 

Ipswich  Catechism  (1648), 82. 
Cambridge  Catechism  1 1648),  82  84. 
Dorchester  Catechisms  (1650),  84  87. 
Etoxbury  Catechism  1 1660?),  37, 38. 
Chelmsford  Cateohlsms  (1657-1796),  38-42. 

New  Haven  Catechism  |  1659),  42-44. 
Hartford  Catechism  (before  1663?),  44-46. 
Hampton  Catechism  |  1603),  46,  47. 
Norwich  Catechism  (1679),  47,  48. 


Andover  catechism  1 1738),  49  51. 

Sandwich  Catechism  |  17'.'::  ■.  51,  52. 

Hingham  Catechisms  I  1794  1817),  52-64. 

Machias  Catechism  ,  1797  |,  55,  56. 
Indian  Catechisms  |  1654  1*96), 

Westminster  Assembly's  Shorter  Cate- 
chism ( 1647),  os  ;i. 

Westminster  Assembly's  larger  Cate- 
chism (1647),  74-77. 

Miscellaneous  Catechism-  (1688?-1798), 
77-103. 

Appendix  (English  Catechisms,  1556- 
1657),  104-111. 


CATECHISMS. 


Abbot,  Robert,  Milk  for  Babes  ( 1640  ).  28n. 
Allen,  Robert,  Treasurie  of  Catechisme 

(1600),  106. 
Ball,    John,    Short    Catechisme   (1616?- 

1658),  106, 107. 

Short  Treatise  (1629-1670),  107  108. 

Baptist  Catechism  (1795),  98,  99. 

Middle,  John,  Twofold  Catechism  (1654), 

109,  110. 

Dusb  Catecheses  (1665),  110. 

Blake,     William,      Farmers     Catechize 

(1657),  110,  111. 
Brown,  Clark.  Catechism  in  Three  Parts 

(1797),  55,  56. 
Broxolme,  Charles,  Good  Old  Way  (1653), 

15//. 
Burr,  Jonathan,  Catechism  in  Four  Parts 

(1793),  51,52. 
Calvin,    John,     Catechisme     (1556-1580), 

104,  106. 
Calvinus,  Arminius,  Catechism  (1795),  98. 
Cobhead,    Thomas,    Briefe    Instruction 

(1579),  105. 
Colman,  Henry,  Catechisms  (1817),  54. 
Cotton,  John,    Doctrine  of  the    Church 

( 1642-1644),  21-28. 

Milk  for  Babes  ( 1646-1690?),  23-26. 

Spiritual  Milk  1 1656-1672),  24,  25. 

(in  Indian,  1691  >,  62. 

Cotton.   Seaborn,    Brief    Suiuine    (1663), 

40,  47. 
Crashaw,     William.     Milke    for    Babes 

(1617?-1683),  23//. 
Danforth,   Samuel,    catechism    (1650?), 

37,38. 


Davenport,  John,  Catechism  (1659 

44;  (1689),  27. 
Eliot,  John,  Indian  Catechism (1654-1662), 

57,  68. 

Indian  Primer  (1609-1687?),  60-62. 

Exposition   os   the   chinch    Catechism 

(1088),  78,  79. 

Extracts  from  a  Catechism  |  1798),  99. 

Fiske,  John,  Watering  of  the  Olive  Plant 
(1657),  38-40. 

Appendix  of  Catechism  ( 1668  ),  41. 

Fitch,  .lames,  First  Principles  (1079), 
47,  48. 

Indian  Primer  (1720-1747).  65,  66. 

Jacobites  Catechism  (1692),  80. 

Linaker,  Robert,  Short  and  plaine  In- 
struction 1 1061 ),  105.  loo. 

Master  and  Scholar  attending  Catechis- 
ing (1787),  97. 

Mather,    Cotton,    A,    B.    C,  of  Religion 

(1713),  90. 

Addresses  to  Old  Men  (1690),  79. 

Another   Tongue   brought  in  (in 

Indian,  1707 ),  02-05. 

('ares  about  the  Nurseries  (1702), 

80,81. 

Frontiers   Well-Defended    (1707), 

83,84. 

Man  of  God  Furnished  (1708),  84- 


89. 

—  Masehil,  or,  the  Faithful  Instruc- 
tor (1702),  81,  82. 

—  Much  in  a  Little  |  1793), 82, 88. 

—  Scriptural  Catechism  |  1691),  79,80. 

—  Sum  of  the  Matter  (1709),  89. 


IV 


Supplies  from  the  Tower  of  David 

(1708),  87-89. 

Way  of  Truth  laid  out  (1721),  91. 

Mather,  Richard,  Catechisme  (1650),  34- 

;j7. 
Mayhew,    Thomas,     Indian     Catechism 

(165-?),  58. 
Norris,  Edward,  Catechism  (1648?),  19, 20. 
Norton,  John,  Brief   Catechisme  (1660- 

1666),  26,  27. 
Brief  and  KxcellentTreati.se  (1648), 

32. 
Noyes,  James,  Short  Catechism  (1642?- 

1797),  30,  31. 
Packard,  Hezekiah,  Catechism  (1796),  41, 

42. 
Perkins,  William,  Foundation  of  Chris- 
tian   Religion   (1691-1682),   7-16;   (in 

Indian),  62. 
Peters,  Hugh,  Milke  for  Babes  (1641),  19. 
Phillips,    Samuel,    Orthodox    Christian 

(1738),  49-51. 
Pierson,  Abraham.  Some  Helps  for  the 

Indians  (1658-1873),  58-60. 
Primer  (1668?),  77. 

Protestant  Tutor  for  Children  (1685),  78. 
Racovian  Catechisme  (1652),  109. 
Rawson,  Grinds!,  Nashauanittue  Menin- 

nunk(1691),  62. 

Robinson,  John,  Appendix  to  Mr.  Per- 

kins  (16257-1656),  11-14. 

Briefe  Catechisme  (1642),  12. 

Ivst  and  Necessary  Apologie  (1644), 

12. 

Rogers,  Daniel,  Practicall  Catechisme 
(1632-1640),  108,  109. 

Rogers,  Ezekiel,  Chief  (irounds  of  Chris- 
tian Religion  (1642-1648),  27-29. 

Scripture  Catechism  (1750?),  94. 

Scripture  Truths  and  Precepts  (1791),  97, 


Sergeant,  John,  Morning  Prayer,  etc.  (in 
Indian,  1740?),  66. 

Shepard,  Thomas,  First  Principles  (1648- 
1747),  32-34. 

Short  Catechisme  (1646),  15?i. 

Shorter  Catechism  (1739),  92. 

Shute,  Daniel,  and  Ware,  Henry,  Com- 
pendious and  Plain  Catechism  (1794), 
52-54. 

So  shorte  a  Catechisme  (1591),  106. 

Some  Deductions  from  Divine  Revela- 
tion (1782),  96,  97. 

Stinton,  Benjamin,  Short  Catechism 
(1730),  93/*,;  (1745),  93;  (1766),  95. 

Stone,  Samuel,  Short  Catechism  (1684- 
1720),  44-46. 

Vincent,  Thomas,  Explicatory  Catechism 
(1673),  89«.;  (1711),  89;  (1729),  92. 

Wails  worth,  Benjamin,  Help  to  get 
Knowledge  (1714),  90,  91. 

Watts,  Isaac,  Catechisms  and  Prayers 
(1745-1747),  93,  94. 

Catechisms  for  Children  (1792),  98. 

First  Catechism  (1788),  97. 

First  Set  of  Catechisms  ( 1748, 1753), 

94;  (1770,  1773),  95,  96. 

Preservative  (1745-1765),  93-95. 

Second  Set  of  Catechisms  (1748), 


94. 
Westminster    Assembly,    Confession   of 

Faith  (1656-1723),  75,  76. 

Larger  Catechism  (1647-1762),  74-77. 

Shorter  Catechism  (1647-1786),  68- 


74;  ( in  Indian,  1795-1818?),  67,  68. 

Willard,  Samuel,  Compleat  Body  of 
Divinity  (1726).  91,  92. 

Worcester  Association  of  Ministers,  Cat- 
echism (1821-1849),  99,  99,  100m. 


EARLY  NEW   ENGLAND   CATECHISMS. 


The  early  New  England  Catechisms — forerunners  of  the 
New  England  Primer — form  a  branch  of  the  literature  of 
education  in  America  which  is  worthy  of  retrospective 
study.  Although  the  subject  offers  an  interesting  held  for 
bibliographical  research,  a  satisfactory  treatment  is  difficult 
because  of  the  scarcity  of  material.  Notwithstanding  the 
many  catechisms  that  were  printed,  both  in  this  country 
and  abroad,  for  the  use  of  children  here,  but  few  copies 
have  come  down  to  our  own  times,  and  of  many  editions 
nearly  every  vestige  has  been  lost.  It  has  been  truly  said 
of  these  early  books  for  the  education  of  youth,  that 
"they  were  considered  too  small  and  unimportant  to  be 
preserved  in  the  libraries  of  the  learned,  and  the  copies 
that  were  used  by  children,  were  generally  worn  out  by 
hard  service  or  otherwise  destined."1 

One  phase  of  the  history  of  educational  and  entertaining 
books  for  children  has  been  treated  by  Mr.  Charles  Welsh, 
in  his  work  entitled,  A  Bookseller  of  the  Last  Century, 
being  some  Account  of  the  Life  of  John  Neicbery,  and  of 
the  Books  he  published,  with  a  Notice  of  the  later  New- 
berys,  London,  1885.  This  volume  contains  a  descriptive 
catalogue  of  children's  books,  tilling  one  hundred  and 
eighty  pages  of  an  appendix.  The  same  author's  paper, 
On  some  of  the  Children's  Books  of  the  Last  Century,  was 
read  before  the  "Sette  of  Odd  Volumes,"  in  London,  and 
u;i>  privately  printed  in  1886  for  members  of  the  club. 
Newbery  was  one  of  the  pioneer  publishers  of  children's 


1  Livermore's  Origin  of  the  New  England  Pri met-  (1849),  preface. 


books  in  England,  and  his  example  was  followed  by  Isaiah 
Thomas  in  this  country.  In  1896  Mr.  Andrew  W.  Tuer's 
History  of  the  Horn  Book  appeared  in  London,  in  two 
volumes,  quarto,  treating  that  subject  fully  ;  and  in  Sep- 
tember of  1897,  there  was  published  Mr.  Paul  Leicester 
Fold's  masterly  treatment  of  The  New  England  Primer — 
a  model  of  critical  research  and  fine  bookmakingf. 

My  remarks  will  relate  chiefly  to  some  of  the  catechisms 
for  children  and  older  persons,  which  were  used  in  New 
England  in  the  seventeenth  and  eighteenth  centuries.  It 
would  not  have  been  possible  to  gather  material,  in  the 
way  it  is  here  presented,  without  the  use  of  the  remarkable 
collection  of  catechisms  brought  together  half  a  century 
ago  by  Mr,  George  Livermore  of  Dana  Hill  in  Cambridge. 
When  his  library  was  dispersed  by  public  sale  in  1894,  the 
collection  referred  to  was  secured  almost  intact  for  the 
Lenox  Library,  now  a  part  of  the  New  York  Public 
Library.  The  credit  for  this  paper,  therefore,  is  largely 
due  to  Mr.  Livermore,  to  whom  we  are  indebted  for  gath- 
ering the  material  and  saving  it  from  destruction.  There 
was,  moreover,  an  earlier  owner  of  a  portion  of  this  col- 
lection of  catechisms,  a  contemporary  of  the  Rev.  Thomas 
Prince,  in  the  last  century,  to  whom  we  are  under  obliga- 
tions torthe  preservation  of  some  of  the  oldest  American 
catechisms  now  extant.  I  do  not  know  his  name,  and  can 
only  say  that  he  had  nine  of  these  little  publications,  dating 
between  L650  and  1740,  bound  together  in  one  volume.1 
The  catechisms  are  now  separate,  having  been  broken  apart 

S e  time   before  the    Livermore  sale,  but  the  evidence  of 

their  former  condition  still  remains. 


lTh*y  were  arranged  and  bound  In  the  following  order:  (1)  Cotton's  Spiritual 

Milk  for  Huston  Bains,  Cambridge.  WM;  rS)  N'oyes's  Short  Cotirhism ,  Boston,  1714; 
[&)  Flake's  Watering  of  the  Olive  Plant,  Cambridge,  1687;  (4)  Norton's  Brief  Gate' 
chisme,  Cambridge,  1660  j  (ft)  Seaborn  Cotton's  Brief  Summe  .  .  .  of  our  Christian 
Faith,  Cambridge,  1668;  (•)  stone's  Short  Catechism,  Boston,  nw-i;  (7)  Fitch's 
First  Principle*  of  the  Doctrine  of  Christ.  Boston,  1679;  (8)  Perkins's  Foundation 
<»/  Christian  Religion,  Boston,  1683;  and  (ft)  the  Westminster  Assembly's  Shorter 
cot,  chisnx,  Boston,  1740, 


In  the  preparation  of  the.se  notes  I  have  made  some  use 
of  Mr.  Livermore's  articles  <>n  the  NYw  England  Primer,1 
printed  in  1849,  and  of  two  articles  on  Catechisms,  by  Dr. 
J.  Hammond  Trumbull,  which  were  printed  in  the  "Sunday 
School  Times'"  in  1X83.2  The  fifth  article  of  Mr.  Liver- 
more's book,  just  mentioned,  relates  to  "the  catechisms, 
their  origin  and  history,  with  some  account  of  the  authors 
and  their  contemporaries."  My  descriptions  of  the  cate- 
chisms are  made,  in  most  cases,  from  the  hooks  themselves. 

What  catechism  was  most  used,  in  the  early  part  of  the 
seventeenth  century,  by  the  Puritans  in  England,  the  Pil- 
grims  at  Levden  and  Plymouth,  and  the  first  settlers  on 
the  Bay?  The  evidence  seems  to  point  to  the  Rev.  William 
Perkins's  Six  Principles  of  Christian  Religion.*  The 
author  was  born  in  1558  and  died  in  1002.  He  was  edu- 
cated at  Christ's  College,  Cambridge,  where  he  matriculated 
in  1577.  In  1584  he  was  elected  fellow  of  the  college, 
and  became  catechist  there,  and  afterwards  lecturer  at 
Great  St.  Andrews.  From  this  time  he  began  to  be  widely 
known  as  a  preacher,  and  on  account  of  his  sympathy  with 
the  Puritan  movement.  His  publications  began  about  the 
year  1589,  and  their  influence  among  the  Puritans  is  said 
to  have  been  but  little  inferior  to  that  of  the  writings  of 
Calvin  and  Hooker.  There  has  been  some  uncertainty  as 
to  the  date  of  the  first  edition  of  his  catechism.  Mr.  J. 
Bass  Mullinger,  in  the  Dictionary  of  National  Biography, 
puts  it  at  1592  ;  the  British  Museum  has  an  edition  of 
1591  ;    and  the    Livermore  collection    contains   one  dated 


'The  Origin,  History  and  Character  of  the  New  England  Primer:  bring  a  series 
of  articles  contributed  to  the  Cambridge  Chronicle,  by  "The  Antiquary."  <<nn- 
bridge:  MDCCCXLIX.  4P,  (44)  pp.  These  articles,  eight  in  amber,  were  con- 
tributed by  Mr.  Livermore  to  the  Cambridge  Chrontbc&e  for  April  :>.  13,  lit  and  •.*♦;, 
and  May  :s,  10,  IV,  and  J4,  of  1K4!>.  Twelve  copies  only  were  printed  off  in  book  form, 
of  which  the  one  used  is  No.  12,  presented  to  Mr.  Lenox  in  1855. 

*Dr.  Trumbull's  articles  in  the  "  Sunday  School  Times"  are  as  follows:  (1)  The 
New  England  Primer  and  tta  predeeeeeore,  April -.it  and  May  8, 1898 j  i  j  i  Coteohiemi 
<if  uiti  ami  New  England  (supplementary  to  the  two  former  papers),  Septembers 
and  15, 1883. 

3  For  the  titles  of  some  other  catechisms  see  the  Appendix. 


8 

1590,  which  is  probably  the  first  edition,  as  it  is  one  of  the 
author's  earliest  publications.     Its  title  is  as  follows  : — 

The  |  Foundation  of  Chri-  |   stian   Religion,  ga-   |  thered 
into  sixe  |  Principles.  |  And  it  is  to  be  learned  of  ig-  | 
Qorant  people,  that  they  ma}'  be  |  fit  to  heare  Sermons 
with  pro-  |  fit,  and  to  receiue  the  |  Lords  Supper  with  | 
comfort.  |  Psal.  119.  30.  |  The  entrance  into  thy  words 
sheweth    I    light,    and    aiueth    vnderstanding   to    I    the 
simple.  |  [London :]   Printed  by  Thomas   Orwin  for  | 
Iohn  Porter.     1590.  |  8°,  (20)  leaves.     A— C4  in  eights. 
The  title  is  within  a  pictorial  border. 

The  epistle  to  the  reader  is  as  follows  : — 

"To  all  ignorant  people  that  desire  to  be  instructed. 

Poore  people,  your  manner  is  to  sooth  vp  your  selues, 
as  thogh  ye  wer  in  a  most  happy  estate :  but  if  the  matter 
come  to  iust  triall,  it  wil  fall  out  farre  otherwise.  For 
yee  lead  your  lines  in  great  ignoraunce,  as  may  appeare  by 
these  your  common  opinions  which  follow. 

1  That  faith  is  a  mans  good  meaning  &  his  good  seru- 
ing  of  God. 

2  That  God  is  serued  by  the  rehearsing  of  the  ten 
Commandements,  the  Lords  praier,  and  the  Creede. 

3  That  yee  haue  beleeued  in  Christ  euer  since  you  could 
remember. 

4  That  it  is  pitie  that  he  should  line  which  dooth  anie 
whit  doubt  of  his  saluation. 

")  That  none  can  tell  whether  he  shall  be  saued  or  not 
certainlie  :   l>ut  that  al  men  must  be  of  a  good  beliefe. 

<>  That  howsoeuer  a  man  line,  yet  if  hee  call  vppon 
(iod  on  his  death  bedde,  and  say,  Lord  haue  mercie  on  me, 
&  so  goe  away  like  a  Lambe,  he  is  certainly  saued. 

7  That,  if  anie  be  strangely  visited,  hee  is  either  taken 
with  a  Planet,  or  bewitched. 

8  That  a  man  may  lawfully  sweare  when  hee  speak  es 
nothing  but  the  truth:  and  sweares  by  nothing  but  that 
which  is  good,  as  by  his  faith  or  troth. 

9  That  a  Preacher  is  a  good  man  no  longer  than  hee  is 
in  the  pulpet.      They  thinke  all  like  themselues. 


10  That  a  man  may  repent  when  he  will,  because  the 
Scripture  saith,  At  what  time  soeuer  a  sinner  doth  repent 
him  of  his,  si nne,  &c. 

11  That  it  is  an  easier  thing  to  please  God,  than  to 
please  our  neighbour. 

12  That  yee  can  keepe  the  Commandements,  as  well  as 
God  will  giue  you  leaue. 

13  That  it  is  the  safest,  to  doo  in  Religion  as  most  doo. 

14  That  merrie  ballads  &  bookes,  as  Scoggin,  Beuis 
of  Southhampton,  &c.  are  good  to  driue  away  time,  &  to 
remoue  hart  quames. 

15  Tiiat  yee  can  serue  God  with  all  your  hearts  :  and 
that  yee  would  be  sorrie  else. 

16  That  a  man  need  not  heare  so  mauie  Sermons, 
except  he  could  follow  the  better. 

17  That  a  man  which  cometh  at  no  Sermons,  may 
as  we  11  beleeue  as  he  which  heares  all  the  sermons  in  the 
world. 

18  That  ye  knowe  all  the  Preacher  can  tell  you:  For 
he  can  say  nothing,  but  that  euery  man  is  a  sinner,  that 
we  must  loue  our  neighbours  as  our  seines,  that  euerie 
man  must  bee  saued  by  Christ :  and  all  this  ye  can  tell 
a  swell  as  he. 

19  That  it  was  a  good  world  when  the  old  Religion 
was,  because  all  things  were  cheape.  i 

20  That  drinking  and  bezeling  in  the  alehouse  or 
tauerne  is  good  fellowship,  &  shews  a  good  kinde  nature. 

21  That  a  man  may  sweare  by  the  Masse,  because  it  i^ 
nothing  now :  and  byr  Ladie,  because  she  is  gone  out  of 
the  Countrey. 

22  That  euerie  man  must  be  for  himselfe,  and  God  for 
vs  all. 

23  That  a  man  may  make  of  his  owne  whatsoeuer  he 
can. 

24  That  if  a  man  remeber  to  say  his  praiers  in  the 
morning  (thogh  he  neuer  vnderstad  them)  he  hath  blessed 
himselfe  for  all  the  daie  following. 

2")  That  a  man  praieth  when  he  saith  the  ten  Com- 
mandements. 

2(5      That  a  man  eates  his  maker  in  the  Sacra. 

27  That  if  a  man  be  no  adulterer,  no  theefe,  nor  mur- 
derer, and  doo  no  man  harme,  he  is  a  right  honesl  man. 


10 

28  That  a  man  need  not  haue  any  knowledg  of  religio, 
because  ho  is  not  book  learnd. 

29  That  one  may  haue  a  good  meaning,  when  he  saith 
and  dooth  that  which  is  euill. 

These  &  such  like  sayings,  what  argue  they  but  your 
grose  ignorance?  Now,  where  ignorance  raigneth,  there 
raignes  sinne :  &  where  sinne  raignes,  there  the  diuell 
rules  :  and  where  he  rules,  men  are  in  a  damnable  case. 

Ye  will  replie  vnto  me  thus,  that  ye  are  not  bo  had  as  I 
would  make  you  :  if  need  be  you  can  say  the  Creede,  the 
Lords  praier,  &  the  10.  comandements  :  and  therefore  ye 
will  be  of  Gods  beleefe  say  all  men  what  the3r  will,  and 
you  defie  the  diuell  from  your  hearts. 

I  answere  againe,  that  it  is  not  sufficient  to  say  all  these 
without  booke,  vnlesse  ye  can  vnderstand  the  meaning  of 
the  words,  and  bee  able  to  make  a  right  vse  of  the  Com- 
andements, of  the  Creede,  of  the  Lords  praier;  by  apply- 
ing them  inwardly  to  your  hearts  and  consciences,  and 
outwardly  to  your  lines  and  conuersations.  This  Is  the 
verie  point  in  which  ye  faile. 

And  for  an  helpe  in  this  your  ignorance,  to  bring  you  to 
true  knowledge,  vnfained  faith,  and  sound  repentance  : 
here  I  haue  set  downe  the  principal!  points  of  Christian 
Religion  in  sixe  plaine  &  easie  rules,  euen  such  as  the 
simplest  may  easely  learne  :  and  hereunto  is  adioyned  an 
exposition  of  them  word  by  word.  If  ye  do  want  other 
good  directions,  then  vse  this  my  labour  for  your  instruc- 
tion :  In  reading  of  it  first  learne  the  six  principles,  ct 
when  ye  haue  them  without  booke,  &  the  meaning  of 
them  withall,  then  learne  the  exposition  also  :  which  being 
well  conceaued,  &  in  some  measure  felt  iii  the  heart,  ye 
shall  bee  able  to  profite  by  Sermons,  whereas  now  ye  can- 
not :  and  the  ordinarie  parts  of  the  Catechisnie,  namely, 
the  ten  Commandements,  the  Creede,  the  Lords  praier, 
and  the  institution  of  the  two  Sacraments,  shall  more  easely 
be  vnderstood.    Thine  in  Christ  [esus:  William  Perkins." 

The  "Six  Principles  *"  are  expressed  in  answer  to  the 
following  questions : — 

"Question.     What  doosf  thou  beleeue  concerning  God. 
I.      There  is  one  Cod  creator  and  gouernour  of  all  things, 


11 

distinguished  into  the  Father,   the   Sonne,  and  the   holy 
Ghost. 

Q.  What  doost  thou  beleeue  concerning  man:  and 
concerning  thine  owne  selfe. 

II.  All  men  arc  whollie  corrupted  with  sinne  thorough 
Adams  fal :  &  so  are  become  slaucs  of  Sathan,  and  guiltie 
of  eternal)  damnation. 

Q.  What  meanes  is  there  for  thee  to  escape  this  damna- 
ble estate? 

III.  Icsns  Christ  the  eternal]  sonne  of  God,  being  made 
man,  by  his  death  vpon  the  Crosse,  and  by  his  righteous- 
ncs,  hath  perfectly  alone  by  hinisclfe,  accomplished  all 
thinges  that  are  needful  for  the  saluation  of  mankinde. 

Q.  But  how  maist  thou  bee  made  partaker  of  Christ 
and  his  benefits  ? 

IIII.  A  man  of  a  contrite  and  humble  spirit  by  faith 
alone,  apprehending  and  applying  Christ  with  all  his  merits 
vnto  himselfe,  is  instilled  before  God  and  sanctified. 

Q.  What  are  the  ordinarie  meanes  for  the  obteining  of 
faith? 

V.  Faith  commeth  onelie  by  the  preaching  of  the  word, 
and  increaseth  davlie  by  it,  as  also  by  the  administration 
of  the  Sacraments,  and  praier. 

Q.     What  is  the  estate  of  all  men  after  death  ? 

VI.  All  men  shall  rise  againe  with  their  own  bodies  to 
the  last  iudgement,  which  being  ended  the  godly  shal  pos- 
sesse  the  kingdome  of  Ileauen  :  but  vnbeleeuers  and  repro- 
bates shal  be  in  hel  tormented  with  the  dinel  and  his 
Angels,  for  euer." 

The  exposition  of  the  Principles  then  follows,  in  form 
of  question  and  answer. 

This,  then,  is  the  book  that  has  helped  to  form  the  early 
New  England  character  and  creed.  It  is  stated  on  good 
authority  that  John  Robinson  was  largely  influenced  by 
its  ant  hoi1,  and  that  he  republished  the  catechism,  some 
time  during  his  Leyden  residence,  for  the  good  of  the 
young  people  of  his  congregation,  appending  a  few  pages 
of  questions  and  answers  "touching the  more  solemn  fellow- 
ship of  Christians."1      No  copy  of  "this  first  edition,"  says 


lDexter's  Congregationalism  (1880),  pp.  372,  373. 


12 

Dr.  Dexter,  "  with  Robinson's  appendix  (which  must  have 
been  previous  to  1625)  is  known  to  exist."  The  Appendix 
was  also  published  separately,  and  is  extant  in  several  edi- 
tions, dated  1036  (the  earliest  known),  1642  (two  edi- 
tions), 1644,  and  1656,  as  described  below  : — 

An  Appendix  to  Mr.  Perkins  his  Six  Principles  of  Christian 
Religion.  By  John  Robinson.  [London?]  1636.  8°, 
(16)  pp.  A  copy  was  in  the  first  Brinley  sale  (1879), 
No.  531,  which  was  bought  by  Dr.  J.  Hammond  Trum- 
bull. 

An  Appendix  to  Mr.  Perkins'  Six  Principles  of  the  Christ- 
ian Religion.^  By  John  Robinson.  [London?]  1642. 
8°.     Title  from  Ashton's  edition  of  Robinson's  works. 

A  Briefe  Catechisme  concerning  Church-Government,  by 
that  Reverend  Divine,  Mr.  John  Robinson,  and  may  fitly 
be  adjoyned  to  Mr.  Perkins  Six  Principles,  as  appendix 
thereto.  1  Timothy  iii.  14,  15.  London:  Printed  in 
the  year  1642.     8°.      (British  Museum.) 

A  |  Ivst  and  Necessary  |  Apologie  |  of  certain  |  Christ- 
ians, |  No  lease  contumeliously  then  com-  |  monly  called 
Brovvnists,  |  or  Barrow  ists.  |  By  Mr.  Iohn  Robin-  | 
son,  Pastor  of  the  English  |  Church  at  Ley  den.  |  Pub- 
lished first  in  latin  in  his  and  |  the  Churches  name  over 
which  he  |  was  set:  After  translated  into  En-  |  glish  by 
himself,  and  now  republished  for  |  the  special!  and  com- 
mon good  of  |  our  own  countrymen.  |  .  .  .  |  [Lef/de/i  /] 
Printed  in  the  yeer  of  our  Lord,  |  m.ih'.xliiii.  |  12°, 
60,  (6)  pp.  A-( '  in  twelves.  (Union  Theological  Semi- 
nary; Massachusetts  Historical  Society.)  Mr.  Robin- 
son's catechism,  entitled  "An  Appendix  to  M.  Perkins 
his  six  principles  of  Christian  Religion,"  begins  on  p. 
66,  and  takes  up  the  remaining  six  pages. 


13 

An  Appendix  to  Mr.  Perkins,  his  Six  Principles  of  the 
Christian  Religion;  touching  the  more  solemn  fellowship 
of  Christians  (the  Church  of  God)  as  being  a  Divine 

Institution.  Very  fit  and  necessary  to  be  learned  by  all 
sorts  of  people  in  these  perilous  times.  Acts  ii.  47. 
[London:]  Printed  by  J.  L.,for  JV.  Bourne,  and  are 
to  be  sold  at  his  shop,  at  the  South  Entrance  of  the  Royal 
Exchange,  in  Cornhill,  1655.     X°. 

This  is  the  date  (1(555)  given  by  Mr.  Robert  Ashton,  in 
his  edition  of  The  Works  of  John  Robinson  (London, 
1851 ),  where  the  catechism  is  reprinted  in  vol.  3,  pp.  421- 
436.  In  one  place  he  refers  to  it  as  published  in  1665, 
which  is  plainly  a  typographical  error.  The  title  given 
below,  from  the  British  Museum  catalogue,  is  dated  1656  : 

An  Appendix  to  Mr,  Perkins  his  Six  Principles  of  Christian 
Religion  ;  touching  the  more  solemn  fellowship  of  Christ- 
ians (the  Church  of  God)  as  being  a  divine  institution. 
London,  1656.     8°.      (British  Museum.) 

The  edition  of  1655,  according  to  Mr.  Ashton,  contains 
a  preface,  not  found  in  the  editions  before-mentioned, 
written  unquestionably  by  Mr.  Robinson,  in  which  he 
says  :— 

"Unto  the  former  principles  published  by  that  reverend 
man,  Mr.  Will.  Perkins,  fully  containing  what  every 
Christian  is  to  believe  touching  God  and  himself,  I  have 
thought  it  fit,  for  the  good  of  those  especially  over  whom 
I  am  set  (the  younger  sort  of  whom  I  have  formerly  cate- 
chised in  private,  according  to  the  same  principles),  to 
annex  a  few  others,  touching  the  more  Solemn  Fellowship 
of  Christians;  the  Church  of  God  as  being  a  Divine  Insti- 
tution, Rev.  ii.  7  :  the  Spiritual  Paradise  and  Temple  of 
the  living  God,  2  Cor.  vi.  Ill;  Rom.  ix.  4:  in  which  his 
most  solemn  services  are  to  be  performed  :  and  to  which 
he  addeth  daily  such  as  be  saved,  promising  to  dwell  in 
the  midst  of  them  by  his  most  powerful  and  gracious 
presence,  John  Robinson." 


14 

The  first  two  questions  and  answers  in  Robinson's  cate- 
chism are  : — 

"Q.l.     What  is  the  church? 

A.  A  company  of  faithful  and  holy  people,  with  their 
seed,  called  by  the  Word  of  God  into  public  covenant  with 
Christ  and  amongst  themselves,  for  mutual  fellowship  in 
the  use  of  all  the  means  of  God's  glory  and  their  salvation. 

Q.  2.  Of  what  sort  or  number  of  people  must  this 
company  consist? 

A.  It  is  all  one  whether  they  be  high  or  low,  few  or 
many  ;  so  as  they  exceed  not  such  a  number  as  may  ordi- 
narily meet  together  in  one  place  for  the  worshipping  of 
God  and  sanctification  of  the  Lord's-day." 

Perkins's  catechism  was  printed  many  times  in  England  ; l 
it  was  reprinted  in  New  England ;  it  was  translated  by 
John  Eliot  into  the  Indian  language  of  Massachusetts  ;  and 
it  was  borrowed  from  by  Abraham  Pierson,  in  preparing 


1  Among  the  many  editions  of  later  date  are  the  following: — 

|  London    |  Printed  by  T  Orwinfor  I.  Porter,  1591.    8°.    (British  Museum.) 

London,  1592.    $°. 

London,  1595.    8°.    (British  Museum,  according  to  Mitchell's  list.) 

London,  1597.    8°. 

CambrUlt/r  ■  ./.  Lvrjat,  1G00.    4°.    (In  his  collected  works,  British  Museum.) 

Cambridge,  1601.    8°. 

Cambridge:  ■/.  Legat,190S.    F°.    (In  his  collected  works,  British  Museum.) 

Cambridge  .  •/.  Legatt,  1605-06.    F°.    (In  his  collected  works,  British  Museum.) 

[London:]  Printed  by  John  Legatt  for  J.  Porter,  1606.    13°.    (  British  Museum.) 

Cambridge:  •/.  Legatt,  1666-00.    F°.    (In  his  collected  works,  British  Museum.) 

London:  J.  Legatt,  1913-13.    F°.    (In  his  collected  works,  British  Museum.) 

London,  1610,    8°.    (Bodleian.) 

London:  •/.  Legatt,  1616-18.    F°.    (In  his  collected  works,  Brit i>li  Museum.) 

London,  11518.    8°.    (Emmanuel  College,  Cambridge.) 

London:   Printed  by  ■'.   Legatt   ■   ■   ■  told  by  n.  dttott,  1629.    v>°.    (British 

Museum.) 
London  :  .1 '.  I.iyutt .  1681.     F  '.    ( In  his  collected  works,  British  Museum.) 
London:  Printed  by  J.  Li;/"tt,/or  It.  Allot,  MB3.  1*2°.  (  British  Museum  ;  Bodleian.) 
London.  Printed  by  lolm   Legatt.     1635.     F°.     (In  his  collected  works,  Union 

Theological  Seminar; .  i 
London.  Printed  by  Tohn  Legate, and  <>n  to  bee  sold  by  Robert  Allot  .  .  .  1635. 

S   .       Library  of  the  Church  of  Scotland.) 
London,  1636.    8°.    (Bodleian.) 
London,  1641.    8'.    Two  editions.    (Bodleian.) 
London,  l<>~~-     IS  .     (  British  .Museum.  | 
London.  1683,    12°.    ( Brinley  sale,  No.  531.) 

[n Latin:  Hdnoviae,  1906.    8°.    (British  Museum;  Union  Theological  Seminary.) 
In  Welsh:  London,  1649.    12°.    (British  Museum.) 
ED  Irish:  DubUn,  1652.    12°.    (British  Museum.) 


15 

his  Quiripi  catechism  entitled,  Some  Helps  for  the  Indians, 
Cambridge,    L658.      The   only   American    edition   I   have 

found  is  in  the  Livermore  collection.     It  bears  the  date  <>f 
ltlM'.  and  has  the  following  title  : — 

The  |  Foundation  of  |  Christian  Religion  |  Gathered  into 
Six  |  Principles.  |  And  it  is  to  be  learned  of  ignorant 
People  |  that  they  may  be  fit  to  hear  Sermons  |  with 
profit,  and  to  receive  the  |  Lords  Supper  with  Com-  | 
fort.  |  Psal.  11!).  Ver,  133.  |  The  entrance  into  thy 
Word  sheweth  light,  I  and  giyetfa  understanding  to  the 
simple.  |  By  William  Perkins.  |  Boston  in  New- JEngla ml 
|  Printed  by  Samuel  Gi'een,  and  sold  |  by  Mary  Avery 
near  the  Blue  \  Anchor  in  Boston.  1682.  |  8°,  title, 
the  Epistle  in  3  leaves,  the  catechism  pp.  1—39,  notice 
on  p.  (40). 
In  this  edition  the  lisl  of  errors  specified  in  the  epistle 

to  the  reader  is  increased  from  twenty-nine  to  thirty-two, 

the  three  additions  being  : — 

"30.  That  a  man  may  go  to  Wizards  called  wise-men, 
for  counsel :  because  God  hath  provided  a  salve  for  every 
sore. 

31.  That  ye  are  to  be  excused  in  all  your  doings, 
because  the  best  men  are  sinners. 

32.  The  ye  have  so  strong  a  Faith  in  Christ,  that  no 
evil  company  can  hurt  you." 

The  Six  Principles,  in  question  and  answer,  with  the 
Scripture  Proofs  in  full  (which  are  not  given  in  the  origi- 
nal edition),  fill  pp.  1-11,  ending  with  the  following  state- 
ment : — 

"The    Scriptures    for   proof    were    only  quoted    by   the 

Author,   to  move  thee  to  search   them:    the   words  theni- 


The  two  following  are  based  on  Perkins's  work: — 

The  Good  old  Way,  or  Perkins  improved,  in  a   plain  exposition  ami  Maud 

application  of  those  depths  of  divinity  luielly  comprised  in  his  Six  1'rineipler..  I>\ 
that  late  painfull  and  faithfull  minister  of  th  •  gospel,  Charier.  Kroxolme  in  I>ail.\- 
shire.     London,  VKA.    8°.    (British  .Museum.) 

A    Short    Catechisme  holding    forth   and   explaining  the  first  1'rineiples  of  the 
Oracles  of  <i oil.    London,  1G4«.    8°.    (British  Museum.) 


16 

selves  I  have  expressed  at  the  earnest  request  of  man}', 
that  thou  ma  vest  more  easily  learn  them  :  if  yet  thou  wilt 
be  ignorant,  thy  malice  is  evident;  if  thou  gainest  knowl- 
edge, give  God  the  glorv  in  doing  of  his  will. 

Thine  T.  S." 

If  these  initials  belong  to  Thomas  Shepard,  father  or 
son,  the  inference  would  be  that  they  first  appeared  in 
some  edition  of  Perkins's  catechism  printed  at  Cambridge 
in  New  England,  either  during  the  lifetime  of  the  elder 
Shepard,  who  died  in  1(549,  or  in  the  time  of  the  younger 
Shepard,  who  died  in  1(577.  The  "Exposition"  of  the  Six 
Principles,  in  question  and  answer,  follows  on  pp.  12-39, 
and  on  page  40  (unmarked)  is  this  note  by  the  editor : — 

"The  foregoing  Excellent  Composure,  (with  his  other 
Works)  gave  full  occasion  for  this  Epigram  on  its  famous 
Author,  who  was  lame  in  his  Right  Hand,  but  like  another 
Ehud,  did  no  small  service  to  the  English  Israel." 

"Dextra  quantumvis  fuerat  tibi  manca,  docendi : 
Pollebas  inira  Dexteritate  tamen. 

Though  .Nature  Thee  of  thy  Right  Hand  bereft, 
Right  well  thou  writest  with  the  Hand  that's  Left." 

We  come  now  to  the  catechisms  made  in  New  England, 
and  those  used  in  certain  New  England  towns.  In  June, 
1641,  the  General  Court  of  Massachusetts,  at  their  meet- 
ing in  Boston,  "desired  that  the  eld™  would  make  a  cat a- 
chisme  for  the  instruction  of  youth  in  the  grounds  of  relig- 
ion."1 In  other  words,  according  to  Winthrop,  it  "was 
ordered  that  the  elders  should  be  desired  to  agree  upon  a 
form  ot"  catechism  which  might  be  put  forth  in  print."2 
Lech  ford  stated,3  in  1(541,  that  "there  is  no  catechizing  of 
children  or  others  in  any  Church,  (except  in  Concord 
Church,  &  in  other  places,  of  those  admitted,  in  their 
receiving:)   the  reason  given   by  some    is,   because    when 


!  Wom.  Records,  i.  328. 

'-'  \Vintlii'o|>'s  History  <>/  AV  </•  Kinjliind  (Savage),  vol. '.',  \>.  .'(7. 

ttatne  Dealing  (London,  1042),  p.  20. 


17 

people  come  to  be  admitted,  the  Church  hath  tryall  of  their 
knowledge,  faith,  and  repentance,  and  they  want  a  direct 
Scripture  tor  Ministers  catechizing;  As  if,  Che  teach  all 
Nations,  and  Traine  up  a  childe  in  tli<j  way  he  should  goe, 
did  not  reach  to  Ministers  calechi/.ings.  But,  God  be 
thanked,  (lie  general]  Court  was  so  wise,  in  Iune  last,  a>  to 
enjovn,  or  take  some  course  for  such  catechizing,  as  I  am 
informed,  but  know  not  the  way  laid  down  in  particular, 
how  it  should  be  done." 

In  1(542  a  law  about  catechizing  was  passed  by  the 
General  Court,  which  is  here  copied  from  the  original 
printed  digest  of  1660,  page  16  : — 

"Children  &  Youth, 

"Forasmuch  as  the  good  education  of  children  i.s  of  singu- 
lar behoofe  &  benefitt  to  any  Common-wealth,  &  where- 
as many  parents  &  masters  are  too  indulgent  &  negli- 
gent of  their  duty  in  that  kind.  It  is  Ordered  .  .  .  Also 
that  all  masters  of  families,  do  once  a  week  (at  the  least  ) 
catachise  their  children  and  servants  in  the  grounds  and 
principles  of  Religion,  &  if  any  be  unable  to  do  so  much  ; 
that  then  at  the  least  the}'  procure  such  children  and 
apprentices,  to  learn  some  short  orthodox  catechism  with- 
out book,  that  they  may  be  able  to  answer  unto  the 
questions,  that  shall  be  propounded  to  them,  out  of  such 
catachism  by  their  parents  or  masters  or  any  of  the  Select- 
men, wdien  they  shall  call  them  to  a  tryall,  of  what  they 
have  learned  in  this  kind." 

The  following  title,  from  Haven's  list  of  Ante-Meitolu- 
tionary  Publications,  is  probably  based  only  upon  the  state- 
ment of  Winthrop  given  above: — 

A  Catechism  agreed   upon   by  the   Elders  at  the  Desire  of 
the  General  Court.      Cambridge.      \_Daye.~]      1641. 

No  record  has  been  found  of  the  publication  of  such  an 
edition,  and  it  may  well  be  doubted  that  the  elders  ever 
agreed   upon  a  uniform  catechism.      "The  fact  seem-  to 


18 

be,"  as  Dr.  Trumbull  expresses  it,  "  that  the  early  Congre- 
gationalists  in  New  England  did  not  object  to  catechizing, 
but  had  some  differences  of  opinion  about  catechisms ;  and, 
moreover,  they  regarded  the  catechetical  instruction  of  the 
young  as  a  duty  of  the  household,  rather  than  a  distinct 
office  of  the  church."  Increase  Mather,  in  speaking  of  cate- 
chisms, says:  "These  last  Ages  have  abounded  in  labours 
of  this  kind  ;  one  speaketh  of  no  less  then  five  hundred 
Catechisms  extant:  which  of  these  is  most  elegible,  I  shall 
leave  unto  others  to  determine.  I  suppose  there  is  no 
particular  Catechism,  of  which  it  may  be  said,  it  is  the 
best    for    every   Family,    or    for    every   Congregation."1 

The  remarks  of  Cotton  Mather  are  much  to  the  same 
effect.  "Few  Pastors  of  Mankind,"  he  'says,  "ever  took 
such  pains  at  Catechising ,  as  have  been  taken  by  our  New- 
English  Divines  :  Now  let  any  Man  living  read  the  most 
judicious  and  elaborate  Catechisms  published,  a  lesser  and 
a  larger  by  Mr.  Norton,  a  lesser  and  a  larger  by  Mr. 
Mather,  several  by  Mr.  Cotton,  one  by  Mr.  Davenport, 
one  by  Mr.  Stone,  one  by  Mr.  Norris,  one  by  Mr.  Nbyes, 
one  by  Mr.  Fisk,  several  by  Mr.  Eliot,  one  by  Mr.  Sea- 
born Cotton,  a  large  one  by  Mr.  Fitch  ;  and  say,  whether 
true  Divinity  were  ever  better  handled."2 

The  first  town  to  adopt  the  practice  of  catechising  chil- 
dren was  Concord,  as  mentioned  in  the  extract  from  Lech- 
ford.  The  church  there  was  organized  in  1636,  its  teacher 
being  the  Rev.  Peter  Bulkeley,  who  was  born  in  1583, 
came  to  New  England  in  1634  or  1635,  and  died  in  1659. 
Mr.  Shattuck,  in  his  History  of  Concord  (1835),  states 
that  catechizing  was  one  of  the  constant  exercises  of  the 
Sabbath.  "All  the  unmarried  people,"  be  says,  "were 
required  to  answer  questions,  after  which  expositions  and 
applications  were  made  by  Mr.  Bulkeley  to  the  whole  con- 
gregation.    This  exercise  was,  however,  soon  after  adopted 


1  Preface  t<>  Pitch's  I'hst  Prtnetplet  of  the  Doctrine  of  Christ,  Boston,  1G79. 
-.Matli.'iv  Magnolia  |  ITO8),  book  ">.  p. ;;. 


1!) 

in  other  churches."  Salem  and  Boston  were  among  the 
earliest  to  have  printed  catechisms  of  their  own.  Rowley, 
and  probably  Newbury ,  began  about  the  same  time,  and 
then  came,  at  intervals,  Ipswich.  Cambridge,  Dorohestef, 

Koxburv,  Chelmsford,  New  Haven,  Hartford,  Hamilton, 
Norwich,  Andover,  and  several  other  places. 

The  Salem  Catechisms. 

[1641-1648?] 

It'  wc  may  judge  by  the  material  now  at  hand,  Salem 
conies  first  among  the  New  Kngland  towns,  in  point  of 
time,  with  a  printed  catechism.  The  author  was  the  Hev. 
Hugh  Peters  (horn  1598,  died  1660),  who  came  to  New 
England  in  1635,  and  was  chosen  teacher  of  the  first 
church  in  Salem  in  1(536.  In  August,  1(541,  he  obtained 
leave  from  the  church,  and  was  sent  to  England  on  official 
business  by  the  General  Court  of  Massachusetts.  It  i> 
likely  that  the  recommendation  of  the  General  Court  in  the 
preceding  dune,  about  catechising  and  catechisms,  influ- 
enced him  in  bringing  out  the  publication  described  below, 
which  was  printed  at  London  in  1(541  ;  and  as  he  therein 
called  himself,  "now  teacher  in  New  England,"  it  is  evi- 
dent that  he  intended  to  return  to  his  Salem  congregation, 
and  that  the  catechism  was  prepared  for  their  use.  The 
title  is  as  follows  : — 

t 
Milke  for  Babes,  and  Meat  for  Men.  Or,  Principles  neces- 
sary to  be  knowne  and  learned  of  such  as  would  know 
Christ  here  or  be  known  of  him  hereafter.  By  Hugh 
Peters,  sometime  lecturer  at  St.  Sepulchre's,  London, 
now  teacher  in  New  England.  London,  Printed  hij  E. 
P.  for  J.  W.  1(541.  8°,  84  pp.  (Briti>h  Museum; 
New  College,  Edinburgh.) 

Another  Salem  catechism  seem-  to  have  been  printed 
seven  or  eight  years  later.     In  a  memorandum  of  several 


20 

books  printed  at  Cambridge  by  Stephen  Day,  preserved 
among  the  Dunster  manuscripts  in  the  archives  of  Harvard 
University,  for  the  knowledge  of  which  I  am  indebted  to 
Mr.  Andrew  McFarland  Davis's  paper  on  "The  Cambridge 
Press,"1  the  following  entry  appears  : — 

"In  Norriss's  Katechism  about  3  Rheam  Paper  7.  10.  00" 

The  name  of  "Mr.  Norris,"  and  the  valuation,  are  repeated 
in  another  column  of  the  memorandum,  preceded  by  the 
titles  of  the  "Psa  Booke"  and  "Law  Booke."  The  six 
titles  which  precede  the  entry  first  mentioned  are  seem- 
ingly given  in  the  order  of  their  printing.2  From  this  it 
would  appear  that  Mr.  Norris's  Catechism  was  one  of  the 
last  of  Day's  publications,  and  that  it  came  from  the  press 
after  the  Law  Book,  probably  in  1648  or  1649.  Cotton 
Mather,  as  already  quoted,  mentions  the  book,  but  no  copy 
is  known  to  be  extant.  It  is  placed,  provisionally,  under 
Salem,  because  Elder  Edward  Norris,  the  associate  of  Rev. 
Hugh  Peters  in  the  first  church  there,  was  the  best  known 
person  of  the  name,  at  that  time.  He  came  to  New  Eng- 
land, probably  in  1639,  was  ordained  as  Mr.  Peters's  col- 
league in  1(540,  and  had  sole  charge  of  the  Salem  church 
from  1641  to  1657,  when  Mr.  .John  Whiting  was  called  to 
assist  him.      Mi1.    Norris  preached  the  election  sermon  in 

1646,  represented  his  church  at  the  Cambridge   Synod  in 

1647,  and  died  in  1659.  His  son  of  the  same  name  taught 
the  grammar  school  in  Salem  from  1640  to  1671. 3 

In  .July,  1660,  Mr.  John  Higginson  was  ordained  minis- 
ter of  the  Salem  church.     On  September  10th  it  was  voted 


i  Proceedings  of  the  Am.  Ant.  8oc.,  vol.  r>  (1889),  pp.  295-302. 

•They. are  as  follows,  the  dates  being  added  in  brackets:— 

Freeman's  Oatb.    [1039.] 

Psa  booke.    [1040.] 

The  Capital  Laves.   [1642.] 

The  Spelling  Hooks.     [164-?] 

Tiir  Declaration  at  the  Narragansett  warr.    [1646.] 

The  Law.'  Booke.     [1648.] 

NorriM'B  Katechiam.    [1648?] 

•Felt's  Annuls ,,/  Sah  ,,,  (  lsj?  >,  pp.  200-203, 


21 

"that  Mr.  Cotton's  Catechism  should  be  used  in  families 
for  teaching  children,  so  that  they  might  be  prepared  for 
public  catechising  in  the  Congregation."1     In  November, 

ll')7.r),  it  is  stated  that  K  according  to  notice  from  the  General 
Court,  Mr.  Higginson  revives  his  attention  to  the  children 
of  his  Congregation.  He  proposed  to  chatechize  them 
every  second  week  on  the  5th  and  6th  days  as  formerly."9 

The  Boston  Catechisms. 

[1642-1669.] 

Four  Boston  catechisms  will  be  mentioned,  two  of  them 
being  by  John  Cotton,  one  by  John  Norton,  and  one  by 
John  Davenport.  Cotton  was  teacher  of  the  church  in 
Boston  from  1633  to  his  death  in  1652,  and  Norton  was 
associate  and  then  teacher  in  the  same  church  from  1652 
to  1663.  The  first  of  Cotton's  catechisms  to  be  mentioned 
is  the  one  for  adults,  which  ran  through  the  following 
editions  : — 

The  Doctrine  of  the  Church,  to  which  is  committed  the 
Keyes  of  the  Kingdome  of  Heaven.     By  John  Col  Ion 
.   .   .  London,  1642.     4°.      (Bodleian.) 

The  |  Doctrine  of  the  |  Church,  |  To  which  is  committed 
the  Keys  of  the  |  Kingdome  of  Heaven.  |  Wherein  is 
demonstrated  by  way  of  Question  and  |  Answere,  what 
a  visible  Church  is  according  to  the  order  |  of  the 
Gospel:  and  what  Officers,  Members,  Worship  and  | 
Government  Christ  hath  ordained  in  the  New  Testa- 
ment. |  By  that  Reverend  and  learned  Divine.  Mr.  Jo. 
Cotton,  B.  D.  and  Teacher  of  the  Church  at  Boston,  in 
New  England.  |  London:  Benjamin  Allen.  1643.  | 
4°,  13  pp.     Title  from  Sabin's  Dictionary. 


1  Felt,  p.  207. 
'Felt,  p.  251. 


22 

The  |  Doctrine  |  of  the  |  Church,  |  To  which  are  committed 
the  Keys  of  the  |  Kingdome  of  Heaven.  |  Wherein  is 
demonstrated  by  way  of  (Question  and  |  Answere,  What 
a  visible  Church  is,  according  to  the  order  |  of  the 
Gospel :  And  What  Officers,  Members,  Worship  and  | 
Government  Christ  hath  ordained  in  the  New  Testament. 

|  By  that  Reverend  and  learned  Divine  Mr.  John  Cot- 
ton, |  B.  D.  and  Teacher  of  the  Church  in  Boston  in 
New-England.  |  The  Second  Edition  :  |  Printed  accord- 
ing to  a  more  exact  Copy;  the  Marginal]  |  proofes  in  the 
former  Edition  misplaced,  being  herein  placed  more  | 
directly  ;  and  many  other  faults  both  in  the  Line  and 
Margent,  are  |  here  Corrected  :  And  some  few  proofes 
and  words  are  added  in  the  |  Margent,  for  the  better 
preventing  or  satisfying  of  some  doubts  in  |  some  Con- 
troversall  Points.  |  .  .  .  |  London,  \  Printed  for  Ben : 
Allen  &  8am:  Satterthn'aite,  and  are  to  be  sold  in  Popes 

|  head  Alley  and  Budge-row.     1643.  |  4°,  title  and  13 
pp.      A-B  in  fours.      (Lenox  collection.) 

Sabin's  description  differs  from  the  above,  and  is  as  fol- 
lows :  The  Second  Edition,  printed  according  to  a  more 
Exact  Copy,  .  .  .  London:  Benj.  Allen  and  Sam.  Satter- 
thwaite.      lb'44.     4°,  title  and  14  pp. 

The  |  Doctrine  |  of  the  |  Church,  |  To  which  is  committed 
the  Keys  of  the  |  Kingdome  of  Heaven.  |  Wherein  is 
demonstrated  by  way  of  Question  and  |  Answer,  What  a 
visible  Church  is,  according  to  the  order  |  of  the  Gospel : 
And  what  Officers,  Members,  Worship,  and  |  Govern- 
ment Christ  hath  ordained  in  the  New  Testament.  |  By 
that  Reverend  and  learned  Divine  Mr.  do.  Cotton,  B.  D. 
|  and  Teacher  of  the  Church  at  Boston  in  New-England. 
The  Third  Edition :  |  More  exactly  corrected,  the 
Marginal]  proofes  in  |  the  former  Edition  misplaced, 
being  herein  placed  |  more  directly  :  and  many  other 
faults  both  in  the   |    Line  and   Margent,  are  here  Cor- 


23 

reefed.  |  .  .  .  |  London,  Printed  for  Ben :  Allen,  and 
are  to  be  sold  in  Popes-head  Alley .  11544.  |  4°,  title  and 
14  pp.     A-B  in  fours.      (Lenox  collection.) 

The  first  two  questions  and  answers  of  Cotton's  Doctrine 
of  the  Church  are  these  : — 

"Question,  What  is  a  Visible  Church? 

Answer,  A  Church  is  a  mysticall  body,  wherof  Christ  \s 
the  Head,  the  Members  be  Saints,  called  out  of  the  world, 
and  united  together  into  one  Congregation,  by  a  holy 
Covenant  to  worship  the  Lord,  and  to  edifie  one  another, 
in  all  his  holy  Ordinances. 

Qu.     What  sort  of  members  hath  God  set  in  his  Church  P 

Ans.  Some  that  are  Ministers  or  Officers  in  the  ( Mmrch  : 
others  commonly  called  by  the  generall  name,  which 
belongeth  to  all  the  Members,  Brethren  and  Saints." 

Cotton's  other  catechism  is  the  one  for  children,  entitled 
Milk  for  Babes — "that  incomparable  Catechism,"  as  Cotton 
Mather  calls  it.  The  title  was  perhaps  suggested  by 
Crashaw's  older  work.1  Appearing  first  in  1(54(5,  or  earlier, 
it  ran  through  many  editions  : — 

Milk  |  For  |  Babes.  |  Drawn  |  Out  of  the  Breasts  of  both 
|  Testaments.  |  Chiefly,  for  the  spiritual]  nourishment 
I  of  Boston  Babes  in  either  England :  I  But  may  be  of 


1  Milke  for  Babes.  Or,  A  North-Countrie  Catechisme.  Made  plaine  and  easie, 
to  the  Capaeitie  of  the  Countrie  people.  The  Second  Impression.  By  William 
Crashaw  Batchellor  in  Diuinity,  and  Preacher  of  the  Word.  London,  Printed  fry 
Nicholas  Okes,  and  are  to  be  sold  fry  Thomas  Lantfley  .  .  .  1618.  8°.  (British 
Museum.)  The  first  edition  was  entered  for  publication  in  the  Register  of  the 
Stationers'  Company,  Dec.  1, 1617. 

Milke  for  Babes.  Or,  A  North-Countrey  Catechisme,  made  plain  and  easie  I"  the 
capacity  of  the  simplest,  with  household  prayers  for  families  and  graces  for  chil- 
dren. The  4th  Impression,  corrected  and  enlarged  l>y  the  author,  William  Crashaw, 
15.  I>..  and  Preacher  of  the  Word  of  Clod  at  Whitcehapell.  London,  Printed  fry 
Nicholas  <>kes,  dwelling  In  Foster-lane.  1622.  8°.  (Emmanuel  College,  Cambridge.^ 

Milke  for  Babes,  Or,  A  Countrey  Catechisme,  Made  plaint-  and  easie.  With  house- 
hold Prayers  for  Families,  and  Graces  for  Children.  The  sixth  Impression  cor- 
rected and  reuised  by  the  Author  William  Crashaw.  Batchellor  in  Diuinity.  /.»,,- 
•ion.  Printed  fry  Nicholas  Okes.   1633.   8°. 

Hugh  Peters's  catechism,  Milke  for  Babes,  and  Meat/or  Men,  is  described  among 
the  Salem  catechisms.     Still  another  publication  has  the  title:— 

.Milk  for  Babes:  or,  a  Mother's  Catechism  for  her  Children  .  .  .  Wherciinto  also 
annexed  Three  Sermons.    By  Robert  Abbot.    London,  1646.   8°.   (British  Museum.) 


24 

like  use  for  any  |  Children.  |  By  John  Cotton,  B.  D.  | 
and  Teacher  to  the  Church  of  Boston  |  in  New-England. 
|  London,  |  Printed  by  J.  Coe,for  Henry   Overton,  I 
and  are  to  be  sold  at  his  Shop,  in  |  Popes-head  Alley,  \ 
1646.    |   8°,    13    pp.      (British    Museum;    Dr.    Charles 
Deane.) 

Another  edition,  printed  at  London,  in  1648,  is  also  in 
the  British  Museum,  bound  in  the  same  volume  with  the 
edition  of  1646,  with  press-mark  e.  1186.  (15.)  The  old- 
est known  edition  printed  in  New  England  has  come  down 
to  ns  in  hut  a  single  copy,  with  title  as  follows  : — 

Spiritual  |  Milk  |  for  |  Boston  Babes  |  In  either  England. 
|  Drawn  out  of  the  |  Breasts  of  both  Testaments  |  for 
their  souls  nourishment  |  But  may  be  of  like  use  to  any 
|  Children.  |  By  John  Cotton,  B.  D.  |  late  Teacher  to 
the  Church  of  |  Boston  in  New-England.  |  Cambridg  | 
Printed  by  8.  G.  for  Hezekiah  Vsher  |  at  Boston  in 
JSfew-England  |  1656.  |  8°,  (2),  13  pp.  (Livermore 
collection.) 

I 
The  running  heading  is  "Milk  for  Babes."  On  the  back 
of  the  title  of  this  copy  is  the  autograph  signature  of 
"Jno.  Hull,"  master  of  the  mint,  whose  diaries  are  printed 
in  the  third  volume  of  our  Society's  Transactions.  Hull 
became  a  member  of  the  first  church  in  Boston,  under  John 
Cotton's  teaching,  in   1648.      The  catechism  begins  : — 

"Q.      What  hath  God  done  for  you? 
Ansio.     God  hath  made  me,  He  keepeth  me,  and  He 
can  save  inc. 

Quest.     Who  is  God? 

A.      God  is  a  Spirit  of  himself,  and  tor  himself. 
Q.      How  many  Gods  be  there? 

Ana.  There  is  but  one  God  in  three  Persons,  the 
Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghost." 


25 

Other  editions  were  printed  iii  1<*>»;.">  ( prol >al dv),1  at  Cam- 
bridge in  1668',  and  at  London  in  1668  and  1672. 

Spiritual  Milk  for  Babes.  A  catechism.  By  John  Cotton. 
Cambridge,  1(><>8.  x°,  13  pp.  Title  from  the  addenda 
to  Haven's  list. 

Spiritual  Milk  for  Babes.  By  John  Cotton.  London, 
1668.     12°,  (2),  12  pp.    Title  from  Sabin's  Dictionary. 

Spiritual  |  Milk  |  for  |  Babes  |  Drawn  out  of  the  |  Breasts 
of  both  Testaments,  |  for  their  Souls  Nourishment ;  | 
and  of  great  use  for  |  Children.  |  By  John  Cotton,  B. 
I).  |  and  Teacher  to  the  |  Church  of  Boston  in  |  New- 
England.  |  Corrected  in  Quotations  by  |  L.  II.  1665.  | 
London :  |  Printed  for  Peter  Parker,  in  |  Popes-head- 
Alley.  |  1(572.  |  8°.  (Library  Company  of  Philadel- 
phia.) 

The  title  of  this  edition  is  reproduced  in  facsimile  in 
Smith  and  Watson's  American  Historical  and  Literary 
Curiosities,  plate  XV.,  verso.  The  statement  that  it  WBB 
"Corrected  in  Quotations  by  L.  H.  1  (><>"),"  may  refer  to 
the  Rev.  Leonard  Hoar,  who  was  in  England  from  1 653 
to  1072,  where  he  published,  in  1668,  1669  and  167i, 
editions  of  his  Index  Biblicus,  the  last  one  having  the  same 
initials  signed  to  the  dedication. 

Milk  for  Babes,  by  John  Cotton  :  with  serious  advice  at  the 
End.  [Boston:  Printed  by  Samuel  Green,  1690?]  8°, 
14  pp.  "Mr.  Bartholomew  Green  says — It  [the  serious 
advice]  was  wrote  by  Mr.  Cotton  Mather  &  Printed  by 
Mr.  Samuel  Green."  Title  and  note  from  Thomas 
Prince's  manuscript  catalogue,  as  quoted  in  Sibley's 
Harvard  Graduates,  iii.  49. 

Cotton's  little  catechism  was  finally  Incorporated  in  the 
New  England  Primer*  and  in  that  form  it  came  to  be 


i  See  title  of  the  edition  of  16TB. 

»See  the  bibliography  in  Ford's  New-England  Prim'  r,  pp.  '29&-308. 


26 

more  widely  known  than  any  other  catechism,  excepting, 
of  course,  the  Westminster  Assembly's  Shorter  Catechism. 
An  Indian  translation  is  described  in  the  section  on  "Indian 
Catechisms." 

The  Kev.  John  Norton  was  Cotton's  successor  in  the 
church  at  Boston,  where  he  remained  from  16")  2  until  his 
death  in  1663.  He  was  the  author  of  two  catechisms,  a 
larger  and  a  lesser.  The  first  one  was  printed  daring  bis 
ministry  at  Ipswich,  in  1(548,  and  will  be  described  later, 
as  the  "Ipswich  Catechism."  The  other  was  printed  during 
his  Boston  ministry,  for  the  use  of  the  children  of  his  con- 
gregation.    It  has  this  title  : — 

A  Brief  |  Catechisme  |  Containing  |  the  Doctrine  |  of  God- 
lines,  |  or  |  of  living  vnto  God.  |  By  John   Norton,  | 
Teacher  of  the  Church  at  |  Boston  in  New-England.  | 
Cambridg  |  Printed  by  8.    G.  and  M.  J.  |  New-Eng- 
land.   |    1660.    |    8°,    22   pp.       (Livermore    collection; 
Massachusetts  Historical  Society,  lacking  title.) 

According  to  the  Rev.  Thomas  Prince's  manuscript  cata- 
logue, in  the  library  of  the  Massachusetts  Historical  Society, 
this  catechism  was  first  printed  in  1660,  and  again  in  1666. 
It  begins  thus  : — 

"The  Doctrine  of  Godliness. 

Quest.     What  is  Divinity? 

Answ.  The  Doctrine  of  Godliness,  or  of  living  unto 
God. 

Quest.     How  many  parts  hath  it? 

Answ.  Two:  1.  Faith  in  God.  2.  Obedience  unto 
God. 

Q.     How  many  Gods  are  there? 

Answ.     One. 

Q.     I  low  many  Persons  are  there? 

Ansio.     Three." 

At  the  end  are  the  Commandments,  each  followed  by 
the  questions:  "What  are  we  here  commanded?"  and 
"  What  are  we  here  forbidden?" 


27 

A  Brief  Catechism.      By  -John  Norton.      Cambridge,  1666, 
8°,  22  pp.     Title  from  the  addenda  t«>  Haven's  list. 

In  September,  1667,  shortly  after  John  Wilson's  death, 
John  Davenport  was  called  from  New  Haven  to  the  Kir>t 
Church  in  Boston.  He  was  ordained  minister  December 
9,  1(5<5H,  and  died  March  15,  1670,  aged  seventy-two  years. 
In  1(5(5!)  he  published  a  catechism  for  the  use  of  his  new 
charge.  No  copy  of  this  catechism  has  been  found,  and 
the  only  authority  1  have  for  the  statement  is  the  extract 
given  below,  copied  from  the  appendix  to  the  Cambridge 
Platform  printed  at  Boston  in  1701, i  which  contains,  in 
five  pages,  "Some  Collections  For  the  Information  of  those 
that  are  not  acquainted  with  the  Principles  and  Practices 
of  the  First  and  most  Eminent  Leaders,  in  the  Churches  of 
Christ  in  New-England": 

"The  Reverend  Mr.  John  Davenport,  in  his  Catechism, 
Printed  Anno  1(5(51)  for  the  use  of  the  first  Church  in 
Boston,  of  which  he  was  then  Pastor  :  shows  his  concur- 
rence with  the  Platform  of  Church  Discipline,  in  matters 
Relating-  to  Church  Government." 

The  Rowley  Catechism.2 

[1642.] 

Ezekiel  Rogers  was  the  younger  brother  of  Daniel 
Rogers,  who  composed  a  Practicall  Catechisme,  which  ran 
through  several  editions.3  He  was  born  about  the  year 
1584,  was  graduated  M.A.  from  Christ's  College,  Cam- 
bridge, in  1(504,  and  became  Chaplain  in  the  family  of  Sir 
Francis  Barrington,  in  Essex,  who  obtained  for  him  the 
living  of  Rowley  in  Yorkshire.      In   1038  he  removed   to 

'This  edition  of  the  Platform  was  "  Reprinted  for  the  first  Church  of  Christ  in 
Boston,  pursuant  to  a  Vote  of  that  Church,  Fclir.  10th.  17<X>-1."  It  was  pnil.al.lv 
edited  by  Rev.  James  Allen,  who  had  been  Davenport's  colleague.  Bee  A.  B.  Ellis's 
m$tory  of  the  First  Church  (Boston,  1881),  p.  108, 

»I  am  indebted  to  the  Rev.  Egbert  C  Smyth,  D.D.,  of  Andover,  for  calling  my 
attention  to  this  eatechiam,  and  for  indicating  the  sources  of  information. 

■  See  the  Appendix. 


28 

New  England,  with  a  large  company  of  his  townsmen,  and 
in  1639  commenced  a  new  settlement  named  Rowley. 
Here  he  remained  as  minister  of  the  church  until  his  death, 
January  23,  1661.1  The  catechism  described  below  as 
having  been  "gathered  long  since  for  the  use  of  an  honour- 
able  family,"  was  probably  made  while  Rogers  was  in  the 
service  of  Sir  Francis  Barrington.  It  seems  not  to  have 
been  published  until  1G42,  when  it  was  printed  at  London. 
Two  editions  have  been  traced  : — 

The  Chief  Grounds  of  Christian  Religion  set  down  by  way 
of  catechising,  gathered  long  since  for  the  use  of  an 
honourable  family.  By  E/ekiel  Rogers,  Minister  of 
God's  Word,  sometime  of  Rowley  in  Yorkshire,  now  in 
New  England.  .  .  .  London:  Printed  by  I.  L.  for 
Christopher  Meredith,  at  the  sign  of  the  Crane  in  Paul's 
Churchyard,  1(542.  8°.  (Bodleian ;  New  College, 
Edinburgh.) 

The  Chief  Grounds  of  Christian  Religion  set  down  by  way 
of  catechising  .  .  .  By  Ezekiel  Rogers  .  .  .  London, 
1648.     8°.      (British  Museum;  Bodleian.) 

The  edition  of  1(542  is  reprinted  in  Rev.  Dr.  Alexander 
F.  Mitchell's  Catechisms  of  the  Second  Reformation  (Lon- 
don, 188(5),  pp.  53-(54,  from  which  source  the  above  title 
and  the  opening  questions,  as  below,  are  extracted  : — 

"Question.  Wherefore  hath  God  given  to  man  a  reason- 
able and  an  immortal  soul? 

A.  That  he  above  all  other  creatures  should  seek  God's 
glory  iiiid  his  own  salvation. 

Q.     Where  is  he  taught  how  this  is  to  be  done? 

A.     In  the  Scriptures  or  Word  of  God. 

Q.     What  are  the  Scriptures? 

A.  The  Canonical]  books  of  the  Old  and  Newe  Testa- 
ment. 


•  s  SUtory  hi  /;,,!!■/,  i/,  pp.  10-15,  56-67;  J.  A.  Doyle  in  the  Dictionary  of 
Xatioudl  HiiH/rojtluj. 


29 

Q.     What  do  the  Scriptures  teach  us  ? 

A.     The  true  knowledge  of  God  and  of  ourselves." 

The  catechism  is  grouped  under  headings,  as  follows: — 

"The  first  general]  head;  of  God, ""The  second  general] 
head;  of  Man,"  "The  first  estate,"  "The  second  estate  of 
misery,"  "The  third  estate  of  grace,"  "The  fourth  estate  of 
immortality." 

At  the  end  is  the  text  from  Rev.  20.  6:  "Blessed  and 
holy  is  he  that  hath  part  in  the  first  resurrection  :  for  on 
such  the  second  death  hath  no  power." 

In  the  work  by  Dr.  Mitchell,  referred  to  above,  an 
attempt  is  made  to  trace  out  the  sources  of  the  several 
answers  in  the  Westminster  Assembly's  Shorter  Catechism; 
and  those  manuals  which  seem  to  have  been  most  closely 
followed  and  deserve  to  be  most  carefully  compared,  are 
reprinted  in  full  or  in  part.  The  conclusion  to  which  he 
comes  is  stated  in  these  words  : — 

"I  may  say  generally,  that  so  far  as  plan  and  the  order 
of  the  questions  or  interrogatories  is  concerned,  I  still 
regard  the  little  catechism  of  Ezekiel  Rogers,  who  was  a 
minister  first  in  Yorkshire,  and  latterly  in  New  England, 
as  most  closely  resembling  the  Assembly's  Shorter  Cate- 
chism. The  answers  in  his  little  treatise  are  much  more 
simple  and  elementary,  the  exposition  of  the  ten  com- 
mandments is  in  the  briefest  possible  form,  and  the  verbal 
coincidences  in  individual  answers  are  few.  But  all  is 
there  in  miniature,  and  almost  all  in  the  same  order  afl  in 
the  later  and  fuller  catechism."1 

A  little  farther  on  he  adds  : — 

"It  contains  in  miniature  almost  all  that  is  in  the  Shorter 
Catechism  of  the  Westminster  Assembly.  It  is  decidedly 
similar  to  it  in  plan  and  type  of  doctrine,  though  the 
verba]  coincidences  are  by  no  means  so  numerous  as  in 

some  of  the  other  catechisms  reprinted  in  this  volume." 


1  Miuiicirs  OateeMsmt  <>/  Hh  Second  RQformatian,  Introduction,  \<\>.  xxxi,  xxxii. 
See  also  the  same  author's  Westminster  Assembly,  Ut  Bistort  "mi  Standard* 

(London,  1883),  p.  436. 


30 
The  Nkwhury  Catechism. 

[1642?] 

The  Newbury  catechism,  according  to  tradition,  was 
published  in  compliance  with  the  recommendation  of  the 
General  Court  in  1641.1  It  was  composed  by  Mr.  James 
Noyes,  who  was  teacher  of  the  first  church  there  from  1635 
to  his  death  in  1656.  The  first  edition  has  not  been  found, 
but  copies  of  1661  and  1676  are  mentioned,  and  editions 
of  1694  and  1714  have  been  examined  : — 

A  Short  Catechism.  By  James  Noyes.  Cambridge,  1661. 
8°,  16  pp.     Title  from  the  addenda  to  Haven's  list. 

A  Short  Catechism.  By  James  Noyes.  Boston,  1676. 
8°,  15  pp.     Title  from  the  addenda  to  Haven's  list. 

A  Short  |  Catechism  |  Composed  |  By  Mr.  James  Noyes, 
|  Late  Teacher  of  the  Church  of  |  Christ  in  |  Newbury, 
|  in  New-England.  |  For  the  use  of  the  Children  there. 
|  Boston,  |  Printed  by  Bartholomew   Green.      1694.  | 
8°,  15  pp.      (American  Antiquarian  Society.) 

A  Short  |  Catechism  |  Composed  |  By  Mr.  James  Noyes. 
|  Late  Teacher  of  the  Church  of  |  Christ  in  |  Newbury, 
|  in  New-England.  |  For  the  use  of  the  Children  there. 
|  Boston,  |  Printed  by  Bartholomew   Green.      1714.  | 
8°,  15  pp.      (Livermore  collection.) 

A  Short  Catechism.  By  James  Noyes.  Newbury  port: 
Printed  by  Barrett  &  March,  1797.  12°,  13  pp.  Title 
from  Sabin's  Dictionary. 

The  edition  of  1711  is  reprinted  by  Mr.  .Coffin  in  his 
History  of  Xewbu.ry,  pp.  287-291.  "It  is  the  only  copy," 
he  says,  "I  have  ever  seen  in  Newbury,  and  was  found 


1  Coffin's  History  of  Newbury  (1845),  p.  33. 


31 

among  the  papers  of  Mr.  Ichabod  Coffin."  Another  copy 
was  in  Part  III.  of  the  Brinlev  sale,  No.  5S(>1.  The  cate- 
chism begins  thus : — 

"Quest.  How  do  the  Scriptures  prove  themselves  to  be 
true? 

Aiifiio.  By  the  holiness  of  the  matter,  by  the  majesty 
of  the  style,  by  the  accomplishment  of  the  Prophesies,  by 
the  efficacy  of  their  power  on  the  hearts  of  men,  besides 
the  holy  Ghost  beareth  witness,  helping  us  to  discern  the 
truth  of  them. 

Q.     What  is  the  sum  of  the  Scriptures? 

A.     A  Doctrine  of  a  godly  life. 

Q.     Wherein  consists  a  godly  life? 

A.     In  the  obedience  of  Faith." 

Many  of  the  questions  are  very  brief,  as  the  following 
specimens  will  show:  What  is  Faith?  What  is  Election  ? 
What  is  Reprobation ?  What  is  Sin?  What  is  Original 
Sin?  What  is  Actual  Sin?  What  is  Guilt?  What  is 
Punishment?  What  is  Christ?  What  is  Redemption? 
What  is  Vocation ?  What  is  Repentance?  What  is  Justi- 
fication? What  is  Adoption?  What  is  Glorification? 
What  is  a  Sacrament?  What  is  Discipline?  What  is 
Hope?  What  is  Love?  What  is  Fear?  What  is  Humility? 
What  is  Gratitude?  What  is  Obedience?  What  is  Good- 
ness? What  is  Mercy?  What  is  Meekness?  What  is 
Patience?  What  is  Temperance?  What  is  Chastity? 
What  is  Modesty?  What  is  Gravity  ?  What  is  Righteous- 
ness? What  is  Liberality?  What  is  Frugality?  What 
is  Verity?  What  is  Fidelity?  The  last  question  is  one 
that  would  puzzle  even  some  adults  of  now-a-days  : — 

What  is  Contentation  ? 

The  answer  is  j — 

"A  grace  which  inclineth  us  to  accept  our  own  portion, 

whether  good  or  evil,  with  Thanksgiving." 


32 

The  Ipswich  Catechism. 

[1648.] 

This  catechism  was  prepared  by  Mr.  John  Norton,  who 
was  born  in  1606,  graduated  B.A.  at  Peterhonse  College, 
Cambridge,  in  1027,  and  came  to  New  England  in  1635. 
In  1636  he  settled  at  Ipswich  as  minister  of  the  church,  of 
which  he  was  formally  ordained  teacher,  October  20,  1(138. 
Here  he  remained  until  1652,  when  he  was  called  to  the 
first  church  in  Boston,  on  the  death  of  John  Cotton.  Mr. 
Norton  was  also  the  author  of  a  brief  catechism  for  chil- 
dren, with  a  somewhat  similar  title,  which  is  described 
among  the  Boston  catechisms.  The  Ipswich  catechism  has 
this  title  : — 

A  Brief  and  Excellent  Treatise  containing  the  Doctrine  of 
Godlinesse,  or  Living  unto  God.  Wherein  the  Body  of 
Divinity  is  substantially  proposed  and  methodically 
digested,  by  way  of  Question  and  Answer  .  .  .  B}r  John 
Norton  .  .  .  London,  1648.  [1647,  o.  s.]  8°.  (British 
Museum.) 

The  Cambridge  Catechism. 

[1648.] 

The  Cambridge  catechism  was  by  Thomas  Shepard, 
minister  of  the  church  there  from  1636  to  1649.*  It  Was 
published  first  at  London,  with  a  preface  "to  the  Christian 
Reader"  by  William  Adderley,  dated  from  Charterhouse 
in  London,  February  1,  1647  [1648,  n.  s.],  and  a  joint 
opinion  by  John  Geree  and  Will,  (ireenhill,  dated  March 
27,  1648.  No  separate  edition  has  been  found,  the  editions 
described  below  haying  been  appended  to  other  works  by 
the  same  author  : — 

The  First  |  Principles  |  of  the  Oracles  of  |  God.  |  Collected 

|  By  Thomas  Shepheard,  |  Sometimes  of  Emanuel-Col- 

ledge.      Now  Preacher  |  of  Gods  Word  in  |  New-Eng- 


88 

hind.  |  ...  |  London,  |  Printed  by  M.  Simmons, 
1648.  |  12°.  Appended  to  Shepard's  Certain  Select 
Cases  Resolved,  Hi4<s,  of  which  it  forms  pp,  169-247. 

(Boston  Public  Library.) 

The  First  |  Principles  |  of  the  |  Oracles  |  of  |  God.  |  Col- 
lected |  By  Thomas  Shephard,  |  Sometimes  of  Kmanuel- 
Colledge.  j  Now  Preacher  of  Gods  Word  |  in  New- 
England.  |  ...  |  London,  \  Printed  by  W.  Bunt. 
1650.  |  <S°.  Appended  to  Shepard's  Certain  Select 
Cases  Resolved,  1650,  of  which  it  forms  pp.  55-87. 
(Lenox  collection.) 

The  First  |  Principles  |  of  the  |  Oracles  |  of  |  God.  |  Col- 
lected by  |  Thomas  Shephard,  |  Sometimes  of  Emanuel 
College  in  |  Cambridge,  Now  Preacher  of  |  Gods  Word 
in  New-England.  |  .  .  .  |  London,  |  Printed  for  John 
Rothwel.  1655.  |  8°,  (5),  17  pp.  (Lenox  collection.) 
This  edition  was  originally  appended  to  Shepard's  Theses 
Sabbaticce,  1655,  and  the  signatures  run  in  continuation 
of  that  volume,  Z2 — Aa4. 

The  First  |  Principles  |  of  the  |  Oracles  |  of  |  God.  |  Col- 
lected |  By  Thomas  Shephard,  |  Sometime  of  Emanuel 
Col-  |  ledge  in  Cambridge;  Now  |  Preacher  of  God's 
Word  |  in  New-England.  |  .  .  .  |  [London/]  Re- 
printed in  the  Year,  1695.  |  12°.  Appended  to  Shep- 
ard's Certain  Select  Cases  Resolved,  L695,  of  which  it 
forms  pj>.  75-112.      (  Lenox  collection. ) 

The '|  First  Principles  |  of  the  |  Oracles  of  God.  |  Col- 
lected |  By  Thomas  Shepard,  |  .  .  .  |  Boston:  Printed 
and  Sold  by  Rogers  and  Foirle  in  \  Queen-Street.     17  17. 

|  8°,   (4),  21  pp.       In    the   volume    by   Shepard    entitled 

Three  Valuable  Pieces,   1747.      (American   Antiquarian 

Society.) 
3 


34 

The  edition  of  1050  begins  with  the  heading  :  "The  Sum 
of  Christian  Religion  :  In  way  of  Question  and  Answer. 
Delivered  l>\  Mr.  Th.  Shephard  in  N.  E."  Below  are  the 
first  few  questions  and  answers  : — 

"  Quest.     What  is  the  best  and  last  end  of  Man? 

A.     To  live  to  God. 

Q.     How  is  man  to  live  unto  God? 

A.  Two  waies.  First,  By  Faith  in  God.  Secondly, 
By  observance  of  God. 

Q.     What  is  faith  in  God? 

A.  It  is  the  first  act  of  our  Spiritual!  life,  whereby  the 
BOule  believing  God,  believeth  in  God,  and  there  restcth  as 
in  the  onely  Author  and  Principle  of  Life." 

The  Dorchester  Catechisms. 

[1650.] 

There  were  two  Dorchester  catechisms,  both  by  Richard 
Mather,  who  was  teacher  of  the  church  from  1(336  until  his 
death  in  1  (!(')!).  Cotton  Mather  thus  refers  to  them  :  "He 
published  catechisms,  a  lesser  and  a  larger,  so  well  formed 
that  a  Lather  himself  would  not  have  been  ashamed  of 
being  a  learner  from  them."1  As  late  as  1883,  Dr.  Trum- 
bull stated  that  "no  copy  of  either  is  now  known."  This 
may  be  tine  of  the  "lesser*''  catechism,  but  not  of  the 
"  larger,"  printed  in  1650,  for  a  copy  of  the  latter  was  in 
the  possession  of  Mr.  J.  Wingate  Thornton  many  years 
ago,  and  was  described  by  him  in  the  Historical  Mayazine, 
vol.  3  (1859),  p.  24.  On  September  15,  1894,  it  came 
into  the  possession  of  our  Society,  by  purchase  from  C.  C. 
G.  Thornton.      Its  title  is  as  follows  : — 

A  |  Catechisme  |  Or,  |  The  Grounds  and   IVinci-  |  pies  of 
Christian  Religion,  set  |  forth  by  way  of  Question  |  and 
Answer.  |    Wherein    the    siimme   of  the   Doctrine   of   | 
Religion   is  comprised,  familiarly  opened,  |  and  clearly 

1  Mather's  Marjtudia  (1702),  book  3,  p.  128. 


35 

confirmed  from  the  |  Holy  Scriptures.  |  By  Richard 
Mather,  Teacher  to  the  |  Church  at  Dorchester  in  New- 
England.  |  Hold  last  the  form  of  sound  words  which 
thou  hast  heard  of  nic  |  in  faith  and  love,  which  is  in 
Christ  Jeans.  2  Tim.  i.  13,  |  When  for  the  time  ye 
ought  to  be  Teachers,  ye  have  need  that  |  one  teach  vou 
again  the  first  principles  of  the  Oracles  of  God,  |  and 
are  become  such  as  have  need  of  Milke,  and  not  of 
strong  |  meat.  Heb.  5.  12.  \  London,  \  Printed  for 
John  RothweU,  and  are  to  be  sold  at  \  his  shop  at  the 
signe  of  the  Sunne  and  Foun-  \  taine  in  Pauls  Church- 
yard neer  the  little  |  North-gate.  lb'50.  |  12°,  (K), 
124,  (2)  pp.      (American  Antiquarian  Society.) 

The  volume  contains  Mr.  Thornton's  name  written  in  it, 
and  on  the  title  is  the  manuscript  inscription  :  "Ex  Libris 
Ed.  Wiggles worth,"  being  the  signature  of  the  first  Mollis 
professor  of  divinity  in  Harvard  College,  who  died  in  1765. 
In  an  address  to  the  reader,  by  John  Cotton  and  .John 
Wilson,  it  is  stated  that : — 

"Our  reverend  brother  (according  to  the  precious  Talent 
of  wisdom,  and  sound  judgement  given  unto  him,  &C.  out 
of  his  faithfull  love  to  the  flock  of  Christ)  he  hath  compiled 
this  ensuing  platform  of  wholsome  Doctrine,  in  way  of  a 
larger  Catechisme  :  wherein  you  shall  finde  the  sunnne  of 
the  Doctrine  of  Christian  Religion,  with  pithy  solidity  and 
orderly  dexterity  digested  together;  and  with  clear  evi- 
dence of  truth  confirmed  from  the  holy  Scriptures  :  and 
both  with  such  familiar  plainnesse  of  savory  language.  BS 
(by  the  blessing  of  Christ )  the  simple  honest-hearted  Reader 
may  be  informed  and  established  in  the  highest  truths,  and 
the  most  intelligent  may  be  refreshed  and  comforted,  in 
revising  and  recounting  the  treasures  of  wisdome  and 
knowledge  which  thev  have  received  and  embraced,  and 
the  grounds  upon  which  they  have  believed  ;  and  all  may 
be  led  on  in  the  constant  profession  and  practice  of  the 
faith  and  love  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus." 

The  first  few  questions,  with  their  answers,  are  these  : — 


36 

"Quest.     What  is  Catechizing V 

Ans.  An  instructing  of  the  people  in  the  grounds,  or 
principles,  or  fundamentall  points  of  Religion. 

Q.  How  are  these  Catechisticall,  and  fundamentall  points 
railed  in  the  holy  Scripture? 

A.  They  are  called  the  foundation,  the  first  principles 
of  the  Oracles  of  God,  the  beginning  of  the  doctrine  of 
Christ,  the  entrance  into  Gods  word,  milk  for  babes,  and 
the  form  of  wholsom  words. 

Q.  How  may  the  warrantablenesse  of  this  kind  of 
teaching  appeare? 

A.  Both  by  expresse  testimony  of  Scripture,  and 
because  Cateehisin<r  is  nothing  else  but  the  drawing  of  the 
doctrine  of  Religion  into  briefe  summes  ;  and  this  hath 
plentiful!  warrant  in  the  word." 

An  entry  in  the  Dorchester  town  records,  among  the 
rules  and  orders  about  the  schoolmaster's  duties,  which  were 
passed  the  14th  of  the  first  month,  1645,  requires  that 
"  euy  6  day  of  the  weeke  at  2  of  the  Clock  in  the  after- 
noone  hee  shall  Chatechise  his  schollers  in  the  principles 
of  Christian  religion,  either  in  some  Chatechism  which  the 
Wardens  shall  p'vide,  and  p'sent  or  in  defect  thereof  in 
some  other."1     The  following  order  was  made  in  1655  : — 

"  Whereas  the  Generall  Court  out  of  Religious  Care  of 
the  Education  of  the  youth  of  this  (  ofnonwealth  in  the 
prenciples  of  Christian  Religion  hath  eniovned  the  Select 
men  of  every  Towne  within  there  several]  Lymetts  to  haue 
a  vigilent  eie  to  see  that  mens  Cheldreit  and  such  as  are 
within  their  Charge  be  Catechized  in  som  Orthodox  Cate- 
chisinc  in  familes  :  so  as  they  may  be  redie  to  answer  the 
Selectmen  as  they  see  tyme  Convenient  to  examine  them. 
Wee  the  Selectmen  of  this  Towne  of  Dorchester  for  the 
tyme  being  in  our  obedience  to  Authoritie  and  in  pursute 
of  so  vsefull  and  p'fitable  a  worke  Do  hereby  will  and 
require  all  parents  masters  and  any  that  haue  the  Charge 
and  oversight  of  any  youth  with  in  this  Plantation  that 
they  be  diligent  to  obserue  this  Iniuntion  to  Catechize  there 
Cheldren  servants  and  others  with  in  there  severall  Charge 


1  Dorohttter  Tuwn  Beeordt  (Hoston,  1883),  p.  56. 


37 

in  some  sound  and  Orthodox  Catechisme  that  they  may  be 
able  to  render  account  heareof  when  they  shall  he  herevnto 
required  either  in  the  Church  or  privatly  :  as  vppon  advice 
shall  he  Judged  most  conduceing  to  the  general!  good  of 
all  men.  And  faile  not  herein  vppon  such  penaltie  as  the 
Court  shal  see  reson  to  inflict  vppon  Information  giuen 
against  such  as  shalbe  found  Delinquent  herein  :  this  11  of 
the  12:  m°  1655." l 

On  the  2d  of  the  last  month,  1650,  there  was  recorded 
"  a  memorandome  that  the  Gran  Jurymen  were  with  us  to 
speake  with  us  aboute  som  things  that  the}'  thought  were 
lyable  to  bee  presented  as  namly  this  that  the  Chatecysing 
of  Children  is  neglected  in  ower  towne."2 

In  1665,  it  seems  that  a  new  edition  of  one  of  the  cate- 
chisms had  been  printed,  for  it  was  then  voted  that  "  the 
new  impression  of  Mr  Mathers  Catechismes  should  be  payd 
for,  out  of  a  Towne  Rate,  and  so  the  books  to  become  the 
Towns."  Anthony  Fisher  was  authorized  to  pay  £4.  10s. 
for  the  printing  of  said  catechism,  and  the  books  were  dis- 
tributed to  each  family  in  town  by  the  elders,  the  select- 
men and  Deacon  Capen.  3  No  copy  of  this  " new  impres- 
sion "  has  been  found. 

The  Roxbury  Catechism. 

[1650?] 

The  only  authority  for  this  publication  is  the  Dunster 
manuscript  previously  mentioned,  as  printed  in  Mr. 
Andrew  McFarland  Davis's  paper  on  "The  Cambridge 
Press."  4  The  entry  comes  in  a  list  of  several  books  printed 
at  Cambridge  by  Samuel  Green,  during  the  first  five  years 
of  his  management  of  the  press,  and  it  is  placed  between 


i  Doroheater  Town  Records,  p.  73. 

*  Dorchester  Town  Records,  p.  84. 

■■  Jfis/ort/ of  /torrhester  (1859),  pp.  202,  203;  horcltrstir  Ton,,  /.•< ,  lords,  pp.  126,  127, 
136. 

*  Proceedings  of  the  Am.  Ant.  Soc,  vol.  5  (1889),  pp.  296-302. 


38 

the  "Sinod  Books"  [Cambridge  Platform]  of  1G49  and  the 
Psalm  Book  of  1651,  as  follows  : — 

"  Mr  Danforth's  Katechism  10  00  00 

abate  for  printing  &  paper  (5  00  00 


4  00  00 
Cost       4.   00.  00 
&a  100  books       1.  00.  00 


5.  00.  00" 


As  the  person  referred  to  is  probably  the  Rev.  Samuel 
Danforth  of  Roxbury,  the  catechism  is  placed  under  the 
heading  of  that  town.  Mr.  Danforth  was  born  in  England 
in  1626.  He  was  brought  to  New  England  in  1(534,  was 
graduated  at  Harvard  College  in  1643,  and  was  ordained 
as  colleague  to  Rev.  John  Eliot  at  Roxbury,  September 
24,  1650.  He  died  in  1674.1  If  he  is  the  author  of  this 
catechism,  it  was  most  likely  printed  at  Cambridge  not 
long  after  his  ordination,  in  1650  or  1651.  No  copy  is 
known  to  be  extant. 

The  Chelmsford  Catechisms. 

[1657-171)6.] 

The  town  of  Chelmsford  was  settled  in  1653,  and  in 
1655  the  Rev.  John  Fiske  removed  to  it  from  Wenham, 
with  the  greater  part  of  his  congregation.  Mr.  Fiske  was 
born  in  1601,  came  to  New  England  in  1(537,  became 
pastor  of  the  Wenham  church  (then  part  of  Salem  village) 
in  1641,  and  died  at  Chelmsford,  January  14,  1676-7. 
At  the  earnest  solicitation  of  the  inhabitants  of  Chelms- 
ford, to  compose  a  new  catechism  for  the  use  and  instruc- 
tion of  their  children,  he  prepared  and  published,  at  the 
cost  of  the  town,  the  following: — 


'See  e.  K.  Elite's  metory  »f  Roxbury  Town  (1847),  p.  96;  v.  s.  Drake's  Town  of 
BoXbury  (1878),  pp.  140-14J;  and  Sililey's  OorVOrd  (irtuhmlrs,  i.  88-92. 


39 

The  |  Watering  of  |  the  |  Olive  Plant  |  in  Christ**  Garden. 
|  Or  |  A  Short  Catechism  |  For  the  first  Entrance  of  our 
|  Chelmesford  Children:  |  Enlarged  by  |  A  three-fold 
Appendix  |  By  John  Fisk  Pastour  of  the  |  Church  of 
Christ  at  Chelmesford  |  in  New-England.  |  Thy  Children 
shall  belike  Olive-plants  |  round  about  thy  Table.  Psal. 
128.  3.  |  Those  that  be  planted  in  the  House  of  the  | 
Lord,  shall  flourish  in  the  Courts  of  our  God.  |  The}' 
shall  still  bring  forth  fruit  in  old  |  Age  &c:  Psal.  !)-2. 
13,  14.  |  Printed  by  Samuel  Green  at  Cambridg  \  in 
New-England.  1657.  |  8°,  88  pp.  (Livermore  col- 
lection.) 

The  address  of  two  pages,  "To  the  Church  &  Congrega- 
tion at  Chelmsford,  Grace  &  Peace,  through  Jesus  Christ,*' 
is  as  follows  : — 

"Beloved,  What  is  here  presented  to  Publick  view  is 
yours  :  for  looking  to  the  poor-Penman,  as  Relating  to 
you:  to  the  external  moving  ( 1ause,  as  arising  firstly  & 
freely  from  you,  to  the  End  &  use  as  centering  in  you,  to 
the  reason  of  the  Publishing  thereof,  as  resting  with  you, 
and  the  care  &  costs,  as  to  that  end  expended  by  you  :  It 
must  not  otherwise  be  determined  but  FOURS.  Which 
being  so,  you  have  saved  me  the  labour,  of  prefacing  on 
behalfe,  either  of  this  so  necessary  &  fruitful!  an  exercise 
of  Catechising,  or  of  this  present  draught:  or  of  publish- 
ing it.  The  present  encumbrances  of  our  new-begining 
you  know  to  have  declined  me  till  of  late,  from  the  former, 
and  mine  own  inabilities  much  more  from  the  latter,  :i> 
being  rather  desirous  to  have  made  use  of  some  others 
labours  that  way,  or  at  least-wise  to  have  acted  mine  own 
feeble  apprehensions  in  a  more  private  manner  amongst 
our  selves.  But  God  hath  moved  your  minds,  first  to  see, 
and  seeing  to  cause,  as  it  must  be  as  it  is.  I  shall  add 
only  a  word  or  two  touching  use  :  1.  The  Scripture  quo* 
tations  in  the  margent,  are  so  severed  by  those  distinct 
marks  as  it  is  not  hard  to  discern  to  which  answer  they 
pertayn.  2.  They  are  orderly  set  down  (for  the  generall) 
as  they  relate  to  the  several]  sentences  or  parts  in  the 
answers.     %.     Where  more  then  one,  are  mentioned  to  the 


40 

.same  purpose,  it  i.s  not  without  special  cause,  and  may  serve 
for  help  of  memory,  when  we  may  have  occasion  to  branch 
out  such  a  subject,  into  its  particulars.  4.  Profitably  you 
may  reduce  Promises  to  their  proper  heads  in  the  Lords 
Prayer,  and  Dutves  or  faylings  to  their  proper  places  in 
the  Decalogue.  As  for  the  annexing  of  these  with  the 
Doctrine  of  the  Sacraments,  by  way  of  Appendix,  It  is 
because  the  same  will  more  suit  with  such  capacities  as  are 
all  ready  entered,  then  such  as  are  but  in  their  eiiterance. 
I  say  no  more  but  this,  If  now  you  &  yours,  (as  is  hoped) 
shall  gain  any  Spiritual  fruit  by  these  poor  weak  Travells 
of  mine,  I  have  my  desire  :  and  no  small  encouragement, 
in  the  midst  of  many  wilderness-discouragements.  To  His 
Blessing  therefore  I  commit  both  you  iNc  yours,  who  is  the 
God  of  all  Blessing  :   and  Rest 

Yours  in  the  Lord 

John  Fiske. 
Chehnesford  this 
25  of  i.  mo:  1657." 

The  catechism  (pp.  5—1  6)  has  the  running  heading, 
"The  Olive-Plant  watered,"  and  begins  thus  : — 

"(J.      Who  made  thee,  or  gave  thee  thy  Being? 

Answ.     (rod,  the  giver  of  Beings. 

Quest.     What  is  God? 

Answ.  The  Maker,  Preserver  and  (Jovernour  of  all 
things. 

Q.     Are  there  not  more  Gods  than  one  ? 

A.  No,  there  is  but  One  God  in  three  Persons;  the 
Father,  Son,  and  Ilolv-Ohost." 

The  "three-told  Appendix,"  nient ioned  in  the  title,  fills 
pp.  16— 88,  and  is  divided  thus:  "First  touching  Prayer," 
pp.  1(5-41  ;  "Second  touching  the  Nature  and  use  of  the 
two  Sacraments  of  the  Gospel,"  pp.  41—60;  and  "Third 
touching  Obedience  and  the  Rule  thereof,"  pp.  50-88. 

A  copy  of  this  edition  was  used  by  Mr.  Allen,  in  his 
History  of  Chelmsford  (Haverhill,  1820),  where  some 
extracts  from  it  are  printed.  We  learn  from  the  addenda 
to  Haven's  list  that  there  was  subsequently  published  an  : — 


41 

Appendix  of  Catechism',   Touching  Church  Government. 
By  John  Fiske.      Cambridge,  1(>(>K.     S°,  16  pp. 

There  was  another  Chelmsford  catechism  published  many 
years  alter,  in  179(5,  which  is  somewhat  of  a  curiosity.  It 
was  prepared  by  Rev.  Ilezekiah  Packard,  who  was  minis- 
ter of  the  Chelmsford  church  from  171>H  to  1802.      It  has 

this  title  : — 

A  |  Catechism,  |  containing  |  The  First  Principles  |  of  | 
Religious  and  Social  Duties.  |  Adapted  to  the  Capacities 
of  Children  and  Youth,  |  and  |  Beneficial  to  Heads  of 
Families.  |  By  Ilezekiah  Packard,  |  Minister  of  Chelms- 
ford. |  ...  |  Printed  by  Samuel  Hall,  No.  53,  Corn- 
hill,  Boston.  |  17!Mi.  |  12°,  84 pp.  (American  Antiqua- 
rian Society.) 

The  book  has  the  following  dedication:  "To  impartial 

Enquirers  after  Truth;  To  real  Patrons  of  the  Christian 
Faith;  and  To  sincere  Followers  of  Christ,  our  Lord  and 
Master,  This  Catechism,  Designed  for  the  Benefit  of  the 
rising  Generation,  Is  humbly  dedicated  by  the  Author, 
Who  wishes  to  be  numbered  with  such  Inquirers,  is  a  Pro- 
fessor of  the  same  Faith,  and  a  Servant  of  the  same 
Master." 

Prefixed  is  the  recommendation  of  a  committee  of  three, 
Joseph  Willard,  Simeon  Howard  and  David  Tappan,  in 
which  they  say  : — 

"Though  the  Catechism  in  common  use  be,  in  the  main, 
an  accurate,  learned,  and  comprehensive  summary,  which 
reflects  much  honor  on  its  venerable  Compilers;  yet  many 
parts  of  it,  both  in  sentiment  and  language,  greatly  exceed 

the  capacities  of  children;  and  thus  tend  not  only  to  till 
their  memories  with  mere  words  and  phrases,  but  to  induce 
an  early  habit  of  substituting  these  in  the  room  of  ideas, 
yea,  of  considering  them  as  the  very  substance  of  religion." 


42 

Another  recommendation,  signed  by  Henry  Comings*  of 

Billerica,  states  that : — 

"This  catechism  has  one  obvious  excellence  to  recom- 
mend it,  which  is,  That  it  meets  all  denominations  of 
christians  upon  harmonious  ground,  neither  embracing  nor 
censuring  the  distinguishing  peculiarities  of  different  per- 
suasions." 

Part  second  contains  "A  Political  Catechism,  designed 
to  lead  Children  into  the  Knowledge  of  Society,  and  to 
train  them  to  the  Duties  of  Citizens,"  the  first  question 
being :  "What  is  Civil  Government?"  Part  third  was 
"designed  for  the  benefit  and  instruction  of  young  people 
and  heads  of  families." 

The  first  three  questions  and  answers  of  the  first  part 
are  : — 

"Question.     Can  you  tell  me,  child,  who  made  you? 

Answer.  God  made  me,  and  all  things  in  Heaven  and 
earth. 

Q.     For  what  end  and  design  did  God  make  you? 

A.  God  made  me  to  know  and  do  His  will,  and  to 
praise  and  enjoy  Him  forever. 

Q.     What  must  }rou  do  to  please  and  enjoy  God  forever? 

A.  I  must  love  and  serve  God;  I  must  love  and  obey 
my  Parents  ;   I  must  speak  the  truth,  and  be  just  and  kind." 

The  New  Haven  Catechism. 

[1659.] 

John  Davenport,  the  principal  author  of  this  catechism, 
was   horn  in  1597,  came  to  New    England   in    1637,  and   in 

1638  was  one  of  the  founders  of  New  Haven.  He  was 
pastor  of  the  church  there  from  1638  to  1(5(57,  when  he 
was  called  to  Boston,  where  he  died  in  1(570.  In  11544  or 
L645,  William  Ilooke  was  associated  with  Davenport  as 
teacher  in  the    New    Haven    church.       Hooke   returned  to 


43 

England  in  1656,  where  he  died    in    1(577.      The  catechism 
here  described1  contains  the  two  names  us  joint  authors  : — 

A    |    Catechisine    |    containing   the    |    Chief    Heads    |    of 
Christian  Religion.  |    Published,   at   the  desire,   and  for 
the  |  use  of  the  Church  of  Christ  at  |  New-Haven.  I 

r  John  Davenport,  Pastor. 
By )  And 

(  William  Ilooke,  Teacher. 
London:  |  Printed  b>/  John  Brudenell,  and  |  are  to  be 
sold  l)i/  John  Allen  |  at  the  Sign  of  the  /Sun- His  in;/  in  | 
St  Pauls    Church-yard,    1659.    |   89,  54   pp.      (Vale 
University;  British   Museum;    Williams   Library,   Lon- 
don . ) 

On  the  back  of  the  title  is  an  advertisement  of  books 
printed  for  John  Allen.  The  catechism  begins  on  page  3 
with  : — 

wQu.      What  is  telle  Religion? 

Answ.  A  wisdom  from  above,  wherebv  we  live  unto 
God. 

Qu.     How  may  a  man  live  unto  God? 

Answ.     Bjr  faith  in  God,  and  obedience  towards  God. 

Qu.     What  is  faith  in  God? 

Answ.  It  is  the  first  act  and  meanes  of  spiritual]  life, 
wherebv  the  soul,  believing  God,  resteth  in  God,  as  in  the 
only  Author  and  principle  of  life." 

In  1853  the  catechism  was  reprinted  as  below,  under  the 
editorship  of  Rev.  Leonard  Bacon  : — 

Ancient  Waymarks.  |  A  Profession  of  Faith,  |  By  John 
Davenport,  |  at  the  Institution  of  the  |  First  Church  in 
New  Haven;  |  and  the  New  Haven  Catechism,  |  originally 
prepared  for  that  Church,  |  By  |  John  Davenport,  Pastor, 

"The  titles  and  description  of  Davenport's  New  Haven  catechism  have  been  fur- 
nished by  the  COUrteBy  Of  Prof.  Franklin  B.  Dexter,  Secretary  of  Vale  1  niversity. 
The  title  of  the  original  edition  is  entered  anonymously  in  the  "Catalogue  of  the 
Library  in  Red  Cross  Street,  Cripplegate;  founded  pursuant  to  will  of  the  Keverend 
Daniel  Williams."    (London,  1841),  vol.  2,  p.  69. 


44 

|  and  |  William   Hooke,  Teacher.  |  With  a  Preface,  | 
By  |    Leonard   Bacon,  |    Pastor   of  the  same   Church.  | 
New  Haven:  |  Prints  I  hi/  B.  L.  Hamlen,  |  Printer  to 
Tale  College.  \  1853.  |  12°,  72  pp.     (Yale  University.) 

For  another  catechism  by  Davenport,  printed  in  1669 
for  the  use  of  the  First  Church  in  Boston,  see  the  account 
of  Boston  Catechisms. 

The  Habtford  Catechism. 
[Before  1663?] 

Hartford  had  a  catechism  at  an  early  date,  under  the 
ministry  of  Rev.  Samuel  Stone,  who  came  to  New  England 
in  1(538,  and  was  teacher  of  the  church  at  Hartford  from 
1636  until  his  death  in  1663.  No  record  has  been  found, 
however,  of  its  having  been  printed*  during  his  lifetime, 
and  it  may  have  been  used  for  some  time  in  manuscript 
copies  only.  The  earliest  edition  known  was  published  in 
16X4,  for  use  in  Farmington,  Hartford  County,  under  the 
direction  or  at  the  expense  of  .John  Wadsworfch,  one  of  the 
two  men  in  the  town,  besides  the  minister,  who  bore  the 
appellation  of  "Mister."  Mr.  Wadsworth  was  one  of  the 
standing  Council  during  Philip's  war,  having  been  Deputy 
from  1672  to  1677,  and  Assistant  from  1679  until  his  death 
in  1689.  Mr.  Brinley's  copy  of  this  edition  (No.  867) 
was  bought  for  the  Watkinson  Library,  Hartford.  Below 
is  a  description  of  the  Livermore  copy  : — 

A  Short  |  Catechism  |  Drawn  out  of  the  |  Word  of  God.  | 
By  Samvel  Stone,  Minister  |  of  the  Word  at  Hartford, 
|  on  Connect icot.  |  Boston  in  New- England,  |  Printed 
hi/  Samuel  Green,  for  John  Wadsworth  |  of  Farmin[g~\- 
ton,  1684.  |  8°,  If)  pp.  (Livermore collection  ;  Watkin- 
son Library.) 

On  the  last  (blank)  page  of  the  Livermore  copy  is  writ- 
ten :  M  Elizbth  Ellis  mother  died  November  :  83,"  and  below, 


45 

in  another  hand,  ".John  Marion  His  Book."     The  questions 
in  this  edition  begin  as  follows  : — 

"Quest.     What  is  Divinity  or  Religion? 

Ansi/\     A  Doctrine  of  living  well. 
Q.      What  is  it  to  live  well? 
A.     To  will  the  good  Will  of  God. 
Q.     What  are  the  parts  of  Divinity? 
A.     Faith  in  God,  and  Observance  towards  God. 
Q.     What  is  Faith  in  God? 

A.  A  confidence  in  trusting  in  the  name  of  God  for 
life." 

It  was  printed  again  as  below  : — 

A  |  Short   |   Catechism  |  Drawn   out   of  the  |  Word  |  of  | 
God.    |  By   Samuel  Stone,   |   Minister  of  the  Word  at 
Hartford   in    |    Connecticut.    |   Boston,    Printed  by   J. 
Franklin.,  for  D.  Henchman,   1720.     8°,  title  and   13 
pp.      (Watkinson  Library.) 

This  COpy  of  the  1720  edition,  said  to  be  "hardly  less 
rare  than  the  first  [1084]  edition,"  was  in  the  Brinley  sale, 
No.  58(52. 

Mr.  Stone  also  left  in  manuscript,  "A  Body  of  Divinity, 
in  a  catechetical  way,"  of  which  several  copies  are  extant.1 
Cotton  Mather  states  that  "This  Rich  Treasure  has  often 
been  Transcribed  by  the  vast  Pains  of  our  Candidates  for 
the  Ministry;  and  it  has  made  some  oi  our  most  Considera- 
ble Divines.  But  all  Attempts  for  the  Printing  of  it. 
hitherto  proved  Abortive."'-  The  widow  of  Mr.  Stone 
married  George  Gardner,  a  merchant  of  Salem.  In  Octo- 
ber, 1(588,  her  son,  Samuel  Stone,  of  Hartford,  brought  an 
action  against  the  administrator  of  her  estate,  "for  unjust 
detaining  from  hiimthe  product  of  a  certain  book  or  Catte- 


•One  MS.  of  this  work,  MO  pp.  in  qmtrtO,  is  in  the  library  <>f  tin-  Massachusetts 

Historical  Society,  ami  another  ii  in  the  Watkmson  Library  at  Hartford.     See 
Wintliro])"s  History  »/  New  England  (Savage),  rot.  1,  i>.  MB,  note;  ami  «.     L. 
Walker's  History  of  the  Ffrst  Church  hi  Hartford  ■  i**4),  i>.  180. 
*  Mather's  Magnolia  ( 1703  ),  !»«>k  3,  p.  118. 


46 

chism  bequeathed  to  him  by  his  Father,  and  sold  by  his 
toother,  Mrs.  Gardner,  to  the  valine  of  sixty  pounds."1 

The  Hampton  Catechism. 

[1663..] 

The   Hampton   catechism   was   made   by   Mr.    Seaborn 

Cotton,  John  Cotton's  eldest  son,  who  was  born  on  the 
ocean  voyage  to  New  England  in  1633.  He  was  a  gradu- 
ate of  Harvard  College,  and  began  to  preach  at  Hampton, 
then  in  Massachusetts  but  now  in  New  Hampshire,  in  1657. 
He  was  ordained  in  1058,  and  died  in  1680. 

The  latest  historian  of  Hampton  repeats  the  statement  of 
Dr.  Cotton  Mather,  that  Seaborn  Cotton  was  the  author  of 
a  catechism,  but  he  adds,  "we  know  nothing  of  the  charac- 
ter of  this  work,  nor  whether  any  copies  are  still  extant."9 
Mr.  Sabin,  in  his  Dictionary  of  Books  relating  to  America, 
copies  the  title  from  Thomas  Prince's  MS.  catalogue  of  his 
New  England  Library,  and  adds:  "I  have  met  with  no 
other  notice  of  the. pamphlet,  which  has  probably  perished." 
Prince's  title  is  :  "  Brief  Sumin  of  ye  Cheif  Articles  of  ye 

X"  Faith  a  Catechism.     Camb.    1663.     8°,  pp.  36. 

This  is  sd  to  be  By  Mr  Seaborn  Cotton,  in  ye  Title  Page, 

in  ye  Hand- Writing  of  ."     Even  Mr.  Sibley  was  not 

able  to  trace  a  copy,  and  had  to  content  himself  with 
Prince's  account,  for  his  Harvard  Graduates.  The  descrip- 
tion below  is  from  the  Livennore  copy  : — 

A  |  Brief  Suninie  |  of  the  cheif  articles  |  of  our  Christian 
Faith,  |  Composed  |  in  way  of  |  Question  and  Answer, 
|  Now  |  Published,  especially  for  the  Benefit  of  |  the 
Town  of  |  Hampton.  |  Cambridg  |  Printed  by  Samuel 
Green,  1663.  |  8°,  title  and  36  pp.  (Livennore  col- 
lection.) 

The  first  few  questions  and  answers  are  : — 


1  //intorirnl  Mrit/(i-.ini\  vol.  3  (1859),  pp.  58,  59. 

•Dow's  History  of  the  Town  of  Hampton  (Salem,  1893),  vol.  1,  p.  360. 


47 

"  Quest.     What  is  Divinity? 

Answ.     It  is  the  Doctrine  of  living  well. 

Quest.     How  many  parte  hath  it? 

Ans»\  Two,  Faith  in  God,  and  Observance  toward 
God. 

Quest.      What  is  Faith  in  God? 

A.  A  confidence  grounded  upon  knowledge,  whereby 
God  is  trusted  in,  for  life." 

At  a  town  meeting,  in  Hampton,  2">  March,  l(i(>4,  it 
was  "voted,  and  agreed,  y*  those  y*  are  willing  to  have 
their  children  called  forth  to  be  catechised,  shall  give  in 
their  names  to  Mr.  Cotton  for  that  end,  between  this  and 
the  second  day  of  next  month."1 

The  Norwich  Catechism. 

[1679.] 

The  author  of  the  Norwich  catechism  was  the  Rev. 
James  Fitch,  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  the  town,  in  16(50, 
and  its  first  minister.  He  was  born  in  the  County  of 
Essex,  England,  in  ll>22,  came  to  New  England  in  1638, 
and  died  in  1702.  In  1(179  the  catechism  was  printed, 
with  the  following  title  : — 

The  first  P[r]inciples  of  the  Doctrine  of  |  Christ;  |  Together 
with  stronger  Meat  for  them  that  |  are  skil'd  in  the  Word 
of  Righteousness.  |  Or  |  The  Doctrine  of  living  unto 
God,  wherein  the  |  Body  of  Divinity  |  Is  Briefly  and 
methodically  handled  by  way  of  |  Question  and  Answer. 
|  Published  at  the  desire,  and  for  the  use  of  |  the  Church 
of  Christ  in  Norwich  in  |  New-England.  |  By  James 
Fitch  Pastor  |  of  that  Church.  |  Psal.  34.  11.  Come  ye 
Children,  hearken  unto  me,  I  will  |  teach  you  the  fear 
of  the  Lord.  |  2  Tim.  1.  L3.  Hold  fast  the  form  of 
sound  words  I  which  thou  hasl  heard  of  me,  in  Faith 
and  Love  |  which  is  in  Christ   Iesus.  |  Boston,  Printed 

'Sibley's  Harvard  Graduateafrol.  l,  i>.  289. 


48 

b y  John  Foster.     1B79.  |  8°,  (8),  7f>,  (2)  pp.      (liver- 
more  collection;  Watkinson  Library.) 

The  address  "To  the  Reader"  is  signed  by  Inerea.se 
Mather,  and  dated,  "Boston,  4.  m.  23.  d.  1679."  In  it  he 
says  : — 

"As  for  the  worthy  Author,  although  the  Lord  hath  seen 
meet  to  fix  his  present  station  not  only  in  a  wilderness, 
but  in  one  of  the  obscurest  places  therein,  yet  m  his  praise 

in  the  Gospel  throughout  all  the  Churches.  And  by  what 
is  here  presented,  (as  well  as  by  other  things  formerly 
published)  it  doth  appear  that  the  Author  is  a  Workman 
that  needeth  not  to  be  ashamed.  For  here  is  not  only 
Milk  for  Babes  in  respect  to  Principles,  with  much  solid 
dexterity  asserted,  but  strong  Meat  in  respect  of  rational 
explications,  and  Demonstrations  of  those  Principles,  that 
the  ablest  men,  who  have  their  senses  exercised  in  discern- 
ing things  of  this  nature,  may  be  edified." 

Each  answer  is  followed  b}*  an.  exposition  and  definition. 
The  first  questions  are  : — 

((Q.     What  is  Religion  ? 

A.  Religion  is  a  Doctrine  of  Hying  unto  God,  and  con- 
sists of  two  parts,  Faith  and  Observance. 

Q.     What  is  Faith? 

A.  Faith  is  the  first  part  of  Religion,  and  is  a  trusting 
in  God  for  life,  proceeding  from  a  grounded  knowledge  of 
God,  as  he  hath  made  known  himself  in  his  sufficiency, 
and  in  his  efficiency." 

The  last  page  contains  on  one  side  the  form  of  Church 
Covenant,  and  on  the  other  a  list  of  errata. 

On  page  7(>  ot'  the  Livermore  copy  is  the  following 
manuscript  memorandum :  "Head  June  1720.  Read  1741." 
The  Watkinson  Library  copy  was  from  the  Brinley  sale, 
No.  768. 

A  writer  in  the  Historical  Magazine,  vol.  .">  (1359),  pp. 
59,  93,  describes  as  a  catechism  another  work  by  Mr. 
Fitch,  which  is  not  a  catechism  at  all. 


49 

The  Andovki:  ( '  vn:< n i-\i . 

[1738.] 

The  catechism  for  Andovcr  was  prepared  by  Rev.  Samuel 
Phillips,  minister  of  the  South  Parish  there,  from  1710  to 
1771.  It  is  dedicated  "To  the  Children  under  mv  Pastoral 
Care,"  March  30th,  1738,  and  has  the  title: — 

The  Orthodox  Christian:  |  Or,  |  A  Child  |  well  instructed 
in  the  |  Principles  |  of  the  |  Christian  Religion :  |  Exhib- 
ited in  a  Discourse  by  Way  of  |  Catechizing.  |  Designed 

for  the  Use  and  Benefit  of  the  |  Children,  in  the  South 
'Parish  in  Andovcr :  |  To  whom  it  is  Dedicated.  |  By 
Samuel  Phillips.  M.  A  |  And  V.  D.  M.  |  Published  at 
the  Desire  of  many  of  his  own  People,  |  and  of  some 
others.  |.2  Tim.  I.  13.  Hold  fast  the  Form  of  sound  | 
Words.  And,  |  Eph.  4.  14.  Henceforth,  be  no  more 
Children,  |  tossed  to  and  fro,   and   carried  about   with 

every  Wind  |  of  Doctrine  .    |  Boston,  Printed  by 

S.  Kneeland;  and  T.  Green,  |  for  D.  Henchman  in 
Gornhil.  1738.  |  12°,  (4),  viii,  135,  (7)  pp.  (Liver- 
more  collection.) 

Prefixed  is  the  half-title:  "Mr.  Phillips's  |  Well  in- 
structed |  Child."     The  dedication  begins: — 

"Mv  dear  Children,  I  do,  here,  according  to  Promise, 
present  to  your  View,  the  principal  Things,  to  be  known 
and  believed,  to  be  done  and  practised,  by  you,  in  order 
to  Salvation  :  And  altho'  it  cannot  be  expected,  that  you 
should  commit  the  whole  to  Memory  ;  yet,  I  trust,  that  you 
will  be  so  just  to  me,  and  so  kind  to  your  selves,  as  fre- 
quently to  peruse  the  same  :  and  to  regard  it,  not  only  as 
the  fruit  of  mv  Studies,  at  some  Leisure-Hours;  bul  also, 
and  especially,  as  comprising  the  Sum  and  Substance  oi 
Religion,  both  Natural  and  Revealed. 

******* 

I  am  aware,  that  some  have  form'd  a  Scheme  contrary 
to  this,  at  least,  in  some  Articles ;  I  mean,  those  who  deny 
4 


50 

the  Doctrines  of  particular  Election,  original  Sin,  particu- 
lar Redemption,  efficacious  Grace,  and  Perseverance.  — 
But  truly,  after  the  most  exact  Search  that  I  can  make,  I 
cannot  help  thinking,  that  the  Doctrines,  which  are  here 
delivered,  not  only  those  relating  to  the  Points  now  men- 
tioned, but  others  also,  are  Doctrines  according  to  Godli- 
ness ;  most  consonant  to  the  holy  Scriptures,  and  most 
agreeable  to  the  Reason  and  Nature  of  Things,  as  well  as 
to  the  Writings  of  Orthodox  and  Calvinistical  Divines  ; 
from  some  fetr  of  which,  I  have,  of  Choice,  taken  the  Liberty 
to  borrow,  here  a  Utile,  and  there  a  little,  as  they  came  in 
my  Way  ;  neither  shall  I  make  any  Apology  for  my  so 
doing,  in  a  Performance  of  this  Nature. 

It  is  swell'd  much  beyond  my  first  Intention  ;  and  it 
would  have  much  more  still,  had  I  not  dismiss'd  many 
Thoughts, — lest  it  should  prove  too  tedious. 

You  see,  my  Children,  that  it  comes  forth  (like  the  fore- 
going one)  by  way  of  Question  and  Answer ;  as  also,  in  a 
plain  Method,  and  easy  Style  ;  and  if  I  may  hereby,  both 
please,  and  profit,  entertain  and  improve  you,  I  shall  attain 
my  End,  that  is  to  say,  provided,  you  give  unto  God  all 
the  Glory. 

'  For, 

What  I  intend  by  it,  is,  not  only  to  acquaint  you  with 
the  Articles  of  my  Belief;  but  especially,  to  help  you,  in 
some  Measure,  to  understand  your  common  Catechism; 
and  to  lead  you  on,  to  discountenance  and  decry  those 
Doctrines,  which  tend  to  cherish  Pride,  Security,  Sloth- 
fulness,  and  Licentiousness  in  Men,  and  then  to  sink  'em 
by  Despair;  because  such  Doctrines  are  not  of  God:  And, 
on  the  other  Hand,  t<>  embrace  and  profess  those,  that  serve 
to  humble  Men,  and  to  quicken  them  to,  and  encourage 
them  in,  Well  doing;  And  at  the  same  Time,  to  exalt  the 
lice  Grace  of  God,  in  and  thro'  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. — 
To  which  good  Ends,  the  Doctrines  herein  advanced,  do 
mightily  serve;  and  more  especially  those  of  original  Sin  : 
of  particular  Flection;  particular  Redemption;  the  Neces- 
sity of  efficacious  Grace,  for  the  beginning,  carrying  on, 
and  perfecting  the  good  Work  in  us;  and  of  Justification 
by  the  Imputation  of  our  Saviour's  Righteousness  unto  us; 
a-  also,  that  of  final  Perseverance. — 

Wherefore, 

Next  to  your  Bible  and  Catechism,  I  recommend  this 


51 

little  Booh,  to  your  frequent,  and  serious  perusal ;  hoping, 
thai  by  means  of  these,  together  with  thai  Epitome  q)  il><- 
History  of  our  Saviour^  lately  published,  all  being  accom- 
panied with  the  Teaching  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  you  will  be- 
eouie,  as  you  grow  up,  intelligent  and  judicious  Christians." 

The  delightful  entertainment  that  was  provided  for  the 
child  is  foreshadowed  in  the  opening  paragraphs : — 

"Minister.  I  am  very  glad,  Child,  that  we  have  the 
Opportunity  of  meeting  again,  at  the  appointed  Time,  and 
Place. 

Child.  I  am  >so  likewise:  And  I  must  needs  say.  Sir, 
that  I  have  thought  the  Interval  longer  than  common. 

Mm.  1  rejoice  to  hear  it;  I  hope  then,  that  you  take 
Delight  in  such  Opportunities. 

Ch.  1  think,  I  do  Sir :  And,  I  desire  to  be  very  thank- 
ful to  God  for  it. 

M.  What  you  have  said,  gives  nie  great  Kncourage- 
ment  to  proceed;  and,  if  you  please,  we  will  enter,  now, 
without  any  further  Introduction,  upon  the  intended  Exer- 
cise. 

O.     With  all  my  Heart,  Sir." 

At  the  end  of  the  catechism  is  a  page  of  Errata,  and  then 
''To  supply  a  few  vacant  Pages  the  following  Hymns  from 
Dr.  Watts  arc  here  inserted,"  tilling  the  last  six  pages. 
The  copy  here  described  bears  the  manuscript  inscription 
on  the  fly-leaf:  "For  his  Son  William  Phillips,"  and  has 
the  autograph  :  "George  Livcrmore,  Dana  Hill,  Cambridge, 
1840." 

The  Sandwich   (\ti:<  iiism. 
[1793.] 

» 

The  Rev.  Jonathan  Burr,  the  author  of  this  catechism, 
graduated  from  Harvard  College  in  1784,  and  was  minis- 
ter of  the  church  in  Sandwich  from  ITS?  to  1818.  He  was 
one  of  the  founders  of  Sandwich  Academy,  and  died  in 
1842,  aged  85  years.     The  catechism  is  entitled  : — 


52 

A  |  Catechism,  |  in  Four  Parts.  |  Compiled  for  the  assist- 
ance of  |  Parents,  |  in  the  instruction  of  their  |  Children 

|  in  the  first  principles  of  |  Piety  and  Morality  |  .   .   .  | 
Printed  at  Boston,  |  by  I.  Thomas  and  E.  T.  Andrews, 

|   Faust's    Statue,  JVo.    45,  Newbury   Street.    |   mdcc- 
xcnr.  |  12°,  24  pp.     (American  Antiquarian  Society.) 
On  the  back  of  the  title  is  the  following  notice : — 

"To  Rev.  Mr.  Jonathan  Burr.  Sir,  Your  proposal  of 
statedly  catechising,  and  judicious  selection  for  that  pur- 
pose, wore  received,  by  the  people  of  your  charge,  with 
approbation  and  a  grateful  sense  of  your  benevolence  and 
pious  care  to  cultivate,  in  the  tender  minds  of  their  chil- 
dren, the  principles  of  virtue  and  religion. 

In  full  parish  meeting,  they  unanimously  directed  us  the 
subscribers  to  present  you  their  thanks,  and  request  a  copy, 
for  the  press,  of  the  proposed  Catechism  ;  which,  with  this 
testimony  of  their  hearty  concurrence  in  3'our  laudable 
design,  they  have  ordered  to  be  printed. 

We  are  very  happy,  Sir,  in  complying  with  their  direc- 
tion ;  and  are  in  their  names,  as  well  as  our  own,  your  most 
obedient  humble  servants, 

Nathaniel  Freeman, 
Joseph  Nye, 

M.     BoiKN. 

Sandwich,  February,  1793." 
The  first  few  questions  are  : — 

"Question,     ('an  you  tell  me,  child,  who  made  you? 

Ansioer.     God  made  me  and  all  things. 

Q.      For  what  end  did  (iod  make  you? 

A.      To  be  good  and  happy. 

Q.      What  must  you  do  to  be  good? 

A.  I  must  love  and  reverence  (iod  ;  love  and  obey  my 
parents  ■  speak  the  truth  always  ;  and  be  just  and  kind  to 
all  persons."  % 

The  I Iincm am  Catechism-. 

[1794-1817.] 

The  authors  of  the  first  Ilinghani  catechism  were  Daniel 
Shute  and  Henry  Ware.     The  former  was  minister  of  the 


58 

Second  (formerly  the  Third)  Church  in  Hinghani  from 
174(5  to  his  death  in  1802.  He  was  a  delegate  to  the 
Massachusetts  and  Federal  Conventions.  Rev.  Dr.  Ware 
was  minister  of  the  First  Church  from  1787  to  180"),  when 
he  was  chosen  Hollis  Professor  of  Divinity  in  Harvard 
College.  He  died  in  1845,  aged  81  years.  Their  joint 
catechism  appeared  with  this  title  : — 

A  |  Compendious  and  Plain  |  Catechism,  |  designed  for 
the  |  benefit  j  of  the  |  rising  generation,  |  and  |  Recom- 
mended to  the  attentive  Use  |  of  |  Heads  of  Families  | 
in  the  |  Education  of  their  Children,  |  as  adapted  to 
improve  them  |  in  piety  and  virtue.  |  It  is  better  to  die 
without  Children,  than  to  have  them  that  |  are  ungodly. 
Son  of  Sirach.  |  Train  up  a  Child  in  the  Way  he  should 
go;  and  when  he  |  is  old,  he  will  not  depart  from  it. 
Solomon.  |  Suffer  little  Children  to  come  unto  me  ; — for 
of  such  is  the  |  Kingdom  of  God.  Jesus  Christ.  |  Printed 
by  Samuel  Hall,  JVo.  53,  Cornhill,  Boston,  1794.  |  12°, 
S4  pp.      ( Li vermore  collection.) 

The  address  :  "To  the  Respectable  Inhabitants  of  Hing- 
ham,"  signed  by  Daniel  Shute  and  Henry  Ware,  states 
that  "the  model  of  instruction  presented  in  this  pamphlet 
Is,  in  part,  extracted  from  the  catechism  of  the  pious  and 
learned  Dr.  Watts,  with  a  little  variation,  and  some  addi- 
tional questions  and  answers." 

The  first  questions  and  answers  are  : — 

"Q.     Can  you  tell  me,  child,  who  made  you? 

A.     The  great  God,  who  made  heaven  and  earth. 

Q.  Why  did  the  great  God  make  you  and  all  other 
creatures? 

A.  Perfectly  happy  in  himself,  his  infinite  goodness 
led  him  to  make  me,  together  with  all  other  creatures,  for 
the  communication  of  happiness. 

Q.  Does  God  treat  his  creatures  agreeably  to  this  end 
in  making  them? 


54 

A.  Yes;  he  is  good  to  all,  and  his  tender  mercies  are 
over  all  his  works." 

Tn  1807  the  Third  Church  of  Hlnghaart  was  formed,  Be  v. 
Henry  Column  being  its  pastor  until  1.S20.  lie  prepared 
the  following : — 

Catechisms  I   for  I  Children  and   Young  Persons.   I  Tn    two 
ii  ~  i 

parts.  |  Part  I.  |  Containing  a  |  Catechism  for  Children. 
|  Part  II.  |  Containing  a  |  Catechism  for  Young  Persons. 

|  By  Henry  Cohnan,  |  Minister  of  the  Third  Church  in 
Hingham,   Mass.  j  Boston:  |  Printed  by  John  Eliot.  | 
1817.  |  18°,  36  pp.     (Livennore  collection.) 

The  prefatory  "note"  is  dated  "Hingham,  June,  1817," 
and  contains  the  following  statement : — 

"These  Catechisms  are  but  in  part  original  with  me.  I 
have  myself  made  several  very,  considerable  additions  to  a 
former  edition,  and  numerous  alterations  and  retrench- 
inents,  which  have  suggested  themselves  to  me  as  proper 
or  expedient,  in  the  course  of  several  year's  use  of  them  in 
my  own  family  and  parish.  Some  christians  will  without 
doubt  consider  them  in  many  respects  deficient,  because 
they  do  not  teach  the  peculiarities  of  their  faith  ;  but  I 
have  anxiously  endeavoured  to  avoid  every  thing  of  a  secta- 
rian or  controversial  nature,  and  confidently  trust,  that 
they  will  be  found  to  contain  nothing  but  what  is  held  in 
common  by  the  great  majority  of  serious  and  intelligent 
christians." 

The  first  three  questions  are: — 

"  Quest  ion.      Can  you  tell  me  who  made  you? 

Answer.      God  made  me,  and  all  things. 

Qu,      What  did  God  make  you,  and  all  mankind  for? 

An.      He  made  us  to  be  good  and  happy. 

Qu        What  is  to  be  good  ? 

An.  To  be  good  is  to  love  and  obey  my  parents,  to 
speak  tin-  truth  always,  to  he  just  and  kind  to  all  persons, 
to  do  nothing  which  I  am  afraid  God  should  see  me  do, 
and  to  do  every  thing  which  I  think  will  please  him  and 
cause  him  to  love  me." 


55 

The  Machias  Catkcmism. 

[1797.] 

The  author  of  this  catechism,  the  Rev.  Clark  Brown, 
was  horn  at  Stonington  in  1772,  and  was  ordained  at 
Boston,  Octohcr  7,  1795,  pastor  of  the  church  in  Machias. 
On  May  1,  1797,  he  was  invited  to  preach  at  Brimfield 
upon  probation,  and  thereupon  resigned  his  charge  at 
Machias,  was  dismissed  by  vote  of  the  town,  May  10,  and 
by  vote  of  the  church,  November  2,  1797.  He  had  preached 
at  Brimfield  the  year  before,  during  the  illness  of  Rev. 
Nehemiah  Williams,  and  while  absent  on  a  vacation  from  his 
people  in  Machias.  On  November  20,  the  town  and  church 
of  Brimfield  voted  to  give  him  a  call,  and  in  June,  1798,  he 
was  formally  installed.  In  1803  he  was  dismissed  by  vote 
of  the  church,  and  after  preaching  in  several  places,  died 
in  Maryland,  January  12,  1817.  He  received  honorary 
degrees  from  Harvard  in  1797  and  in  1811,  and  also  from 
Dartmouth  and  several  other  colleges. 

While  pastor  at  Machias,  it  is  stated  that  he  "reformed 
the  articles  of  faith,  abrogating  the  doctrines  of  the  Trinity 
and  total  depravity,  and  admitting  persons  to  the  Com- 
munion without  any  evidence  of  regeneration.  About  half 
of  the  Church  refused  to  unite  with  it  in  its  new  form,  and 
were  suspended  from  Church  privileges."  According  to 
Mr.  Hyde's  "Historical  Address"  at  Brimfield,1  Mr.  Brown 
"  was  an  avowed  unbeliever  in  those  Evangelical  doctrines 
which  this  church  has,  during  all  its  history,  maintained  as 
fundamental  doctrines  of  the  Christian  faith."  After  men- 
tioning several  of  his  publications,9  he  adds  :  "  Reference  is 
made  in  one  of  these  pamphlets  to  a  catechism  published 
by  Mr.  Brown,  while  at  Machias,  but  no  copy  of  it  is 
known  to  be  in  existence."  The  following  is  evidently  the 
work  referred  to  : — 


i  Hist <„■  in, i  Celebration  o/thr  r,>,n,  „/  Brimfield  (Springfield,  1879),  pp.  97-105. 
"See  Williamson's  Bibliography  «f  Maine,  where  titles  are  given  of  two  of  these 
pamphlets,  both  printed  at  New  Bedford. 


56 

A  |  Catechism,  |  in  |  Three    Parts  :  |  designed  for  the  use 
of  |   Children,    j    Part   I.  —  Containing   general   In-   | 
structions  in  Religious  Know-  |  ledge.  |  Part  II. — Con- 
taining explanatory  |  Directions,   respecting  the  gen-  | 
eral  design  &  use  of  the  Bible.  I  Part  III. — Containing  a 

O  I  o 

Know-  |  ledge  of  the  Christian  Relig-  |  ion  in  particular. 
|  By  Clark  Brown,  B.  I).  M.  |  Newbedford : —  |  Printed 
by  John  Spooner.    |    1797.    |    12°,  31  pp.      (American 
Antiquarian  Society.) 

On  the  back  of  the  title-page  is  the  following : — 

"Advertisement.  The  Author  has  no  design,  to  disre- 
spect the  Catechism  of  the  Assembly  of  Divines,  by  the 
present  Compilation  : — But  is  fully  sensible  that  it  is  beyond 
the  comprehension  of  Children — and  that  it  contains  some 
sentiments,  with  which,  many  sincere  Christians  are  not 
pleased,  and  of  consequence  unwilling  to  have  their  Chil- 
dren taught  them. — As  many  of  the  People  of  his  Charge, 
considered  the  Assemblys'  Catechism  in  this  light,  the 
Author  was  induced  to  devote  a  few  hours,  in  making  the 
present  Compilation  :  and  at  their  request  <Sc  expencc  it  is 
published,  particularly  for  the  use  of  their  Children." 

The  catechism  begins  : — 

"Question  1.      For  what  end  were  we  made? 

Answer.     To  glorify  God,  and  to  be  happy  in  his  enjoy 
ment  forever. 

Quest.  2.      What  is  God? 

A.718W.  (iod  is  a  Spirit;  and  though  we  cannot  see  him 
in  this  life,  yet  he  sees  us,  and  knows  all  our  words, 
thoughts,  and  actions  ;   for  he  is  present  in  all  places. 

Quest.  3.      What  are  God's  attributes? 

Ansir.  Eternity  in  his  existence  ;  unchangeableness  in 
his  purposes;  and  in  his  communications  to  us,  wisdom, 
power,  holiness,  justice,  goodness  and  truth." 


57 

The  Indian  ( 'atkciiisms.1 

At  the  end  of  Samuel  Dan  fort  If  s  Almanack  for  L649, 
printed  at  Cambridge  by  Samuel  Green,  are  two  pages  <>i 
"A  chronological  table  of  some  few  memorable  occurrences'1 
in  New  England,  in  which,  after  mentioning  the  earth- 
quakes, the  violent  tempests,  the  great  droughts,  :in<l  how 
"the  Lord  sent  multitudes  of  Caterpillars  amongst  as,  which 
inarched  thorow  our  fields,  like  armed  men,  and  spoyled 
much  corn,"'  it  is  noted,  under  the  date  of  October,  L646, 
that  "Mr.  Eliot  began  to  preach  to  v'   Indians  in  their  owne 

language." 

John  Eliot's  short  catechism  was  the  first  publication  in 
the  Indian  language  of  .Massachusetts.  Compiled  by. him 
as  early  as  L651,  it  was  used  in  manuscript  form  for  several 
years,  and  finally  was  printed  at  Cambridge,  in  16">4,  at 
the  expense  of  the  Corporation  for  the  Propagation  of  the 
Gospel  in  New  England.  On  September  24,  L653,  the 
Commissioners  of  the  United  Colonies  wrote  to  England 
that  "Mr  Eliot  is  preparing  to  print  a  Cattichisme  of  the 
Indian  langwige,"  of  which  they  had  authority  to  giye  order 
for  the  printing  of  500  or  1000  copies,  and  to  allow  paper 
and  the  charge  of  printing,  At  the  next  annual  meeting, 
September  2">,  1654,  they  wrote  that  "one  Cattachesme  i- 
alreddv  printed."  A  new  impression  was  called  for  seven 
years  later,  when  the  Commissioners  wrote  to  Mr.  Usher  in 
Boston  (Sept.  18,  1661),  to  take  order  for  the  printing  of 
"a  thousand  coppyes of  Mr.  Elliotts  Catichisino  which  wee 
understand  are  much  wanting  amongst  the  Indians."  The 
charge  of  printing,  which  was  presented  in  September, 
1662,  was  "To  printing  1500  Cattachismes,"  £15.     Not  a 


1  in  a  scries  of  articles  contributed  ti>  I'iiimjr's  Mgonqv&am  Bibliography  Wash- 
ington, 1881),  I  have  described  these  catechisms  and  primers  with  more  detail. 
Tlmse  who  desire  further  particulars  are  referred  to  that  work,  under  the  articles 
Kliot,  Indiane  l'rimer,  Mayhew,  Pierson,  Quinuey,  Rawson  and  Sergeant. 


58 

single  copy  of  either  of  these  editions  is  known  to  have 
been  preserved. 

The  second  Indian  catechism  we  will  mention  was  one 
prepared  in  manuscript  by  Thomas  Mayhew,  the  younger, 
for  the  use  of  the  Indians  on  Martha's  Vineyard,  among 
whom  he  began  missionary  work  in  1(543.  fie  commenced 
to  preach  to  them  in  their  own  language  in  1(54(5,  and  in 
1  (552  he  opened  a  school  for  the  teaching  of  Indian  children. 
The  catechism  is  thus  referred  to  in  a  letter  by  the  author's 
grandson,  Experience  May  hew,  written  in  1722: — 

"My  Grand  Father  in  his  time  composed  a  large  and 
Excellent  Catechism  for  the  Indians  of  this  Island,  agreable 
unto  their  own  Dialect;  but  not  being  printed  the  Original 
is,  I  think,  utterly  lost,  and  there  only  remains  of  it,  about 
40  pages  in  Octavo,  transcribed  as  I  suppose,  by  some 
Indian  after  his  Death  ;  but  this  goes  not  so  far  as  to  have 
the  Lord's  Prayer  in  it."1 

Mr.  Mavliew  sailed  for  England  in  November,  1(357,  and 
was  lost  at  sea.     The  catechism  was  probably  never  printed. 

The  third  Indian  catechism — the  second  to  be  published 
at  the  expense  of  the  Corporation — was  the  one  by  Rev. 
Abraham  Pierson,  minister  of  the  church  at  Branford,  in 
New  Haven  Colony.  It  was  prepared  for  the  use  of  the 
Quiripi  Indians  of  southwestern  Connecticut,  and  was  begun 
as  early  as  1(554,  although  not  finished  until  1(557.  It  was 
put  to  the  press  in  1(558,  and  after  some  delay,  was  issued 
in  the  fall  or  winter  of  1659,  with  the  following  title  : — 

Some  j  Helps  for  the  |  Indians  |  Shewing  them  |  How  to 
improve  their  natural  Rea-  |  son,  To  know  the  True  God, 
and  |  the  true  Christian  Religion.  |  1.  By  leading  them 
to  see  the  Di-  |  vine  authority  of  the  Scriptures.  |  2. 
By  the  Scriptures  the  Divine  |  Truths  necessary  to  Eter- 
nal Salvation.  |  Undertaken  |  At  the  Motion,  and  pub- 

1  Observations  OS  the  Indian  language,  by  Experience  Mayliew,  A.  M.,  Preacher  of 

the  Gospel  to  the  Indians  of  Martha's  Vineyard  in  New  Kiigland.  in  IT'.".'.     Now  pjih- 
lished  from  the  original  MS.  by  .John  S.  H.  Fogg.    Boston,  1884.    4°,  12  pp. 


59 

lished  by  |  the  Order  of  the  Commission-  |  en  of  the 
United  Colonics.  |  by  Abraham  Peirson.  |   Examined, 

and   approved  b J  Thomas  |  Stanton    Interpreter-(  ieneral 
to  the  I  -  |  nited  Colonics  for  the  Indian  Language,  I 
and   by   some  others  of  the  most  able    |    Interpreters 
amo[n]ost   ns.  |  Cambridg,  \  Printed  by  Samuel  Green 
l<;f>.s.  |  s°,  (17  pp.     (Lenox  collection.) 

The  catechism  is  in  Indian  and  English,  the  latter  being 
in  smaller  type,  interlined  with  the  Indian.  In  its  com- 
pilation it  is  said  that  much  use  was  made  of  Perkins's  Six 

Principles.     The  first  question  is:  "How  prove  you  that 
there  is  a  God?" 

Some  Helps  for  the  |  Indians;  |  Shewing  them  how  to  | 
Improve  their  Natural  Reason,  |  to  know  the  true  Qod, 
and  the  |  Christian  Religion.  |  1  By  leading  them  t<>  see 
the  Divine  |  Authority  of  the  Scriptures.  |  2.  By  the 
Scriptures,  the  Divine  |  truths  necessary  to  Eternal  sal- 
|  vation.  |  By  |  Abraham  Peirson  |  Pastor  of  the  Church 
at  Branford.  |  Examined  and  approved  by  that  |  Experi- 
enced  Gentleman  (in  the  In-  |  dian  Language)  Captain 
|  John  Scot.  |  Cambridge:  \  Printed for  Samuel  Green, 
1()")K.  |  Kc,  67  pp.      (British  Museum.) 

The  above  is  the  same  edition  as  the  one  preceding,  hut 
with  a  substituted  title,  the  history  of  which  I  have  given 
in  another  place.1 

Some  |  Helps  |  for  the  |  Indians  |  shewing  them  |  How  to 
improve  their  natural  Reason,  To  know  I  the  True  Grod, 
and  the  true  Christian  Religion.  |  1.  By  Leading  ihem  to 
see  the  Divine  Authority  of  the  |  Scriptures.  |  2.  By  the 
Scriptures  the  I  )ivine  Truths  necessary  to  |  Eternal]  Salva- 
tion. |  Undertaken  |  At  the  Motion,  and  published  by  the 
Order  of  the  ( 'onnnis-  |  sioners  of  the  United  Colonies. 

( « In  an  article  contributed  to  Filling's  dt0mqvkm  MMi09mpAy<lSU),  i«i>.  397-400. 


60 

|  by  Abraham  Peirson.  |  Examined  and  approved  by 
Thomas  Stanton  Interpre-  |  ter-Generall  to  the  United 
Colonies  for  the  Indian  |  Language,  and  by  some  others 
of  the  most  able  |  Interpreters  amongst  ns.  |  London,  | 
Printed  by  M.  Simmons,  1659.  |  4°,  appended  to:  "A 
further  Accompt  of  the  Progress*  of  the  Gospel"  (Lon- 
don, 1659),  of  which  it  forms  pp.  22-85.  (Lenox  col- 
lection.) 

When  the  Commissioners  of  the  United  Colonies  wrote 
to  the  Corporation  in  England,  in  December,  KJ58,  they 
enclosed  the  first  sheet  (1(5  pp.)  of  the  catechism,  then 
being  printed  by  Samuel  Green  at  Cambridge.  This  speci- 
men was  reprinted  in  England  as  above,  "for  publicke 
satisfaction." 

Some  Helps  for  the  Indians  :  |  a  Catechism  |  in  the  lan- 
guage of  the  Quiripi  Indians  |  of  New  Haven  Colony, 
|  by  the  Rev.  Abraham  Pierson.  |  Reprinted  from  the 
original  edition,  Cambridge,  1658.  |  With  an  introduc- 
tion, |  by  J.  Hammond  TrumbulL  |  From  the  Collections 
of  the  Connecticut  Historical  Society,  vol.  in.  |  Hart- 
ford: |  Printed  by  M.  II  Mallory  d-  Co.  |  1873.  |  8°, 
11,  67  pp.,  2  plates.      (Lenox  collection.) 

One  hundred  copies  were  made  of  this  reprint.  The 
whole  edition  of  volume  3  of  the  Collect  ions,  from  which 
it  was  separately  printed,  was  entirely  destroyed  by  tire  at 
the  bindery  in  1875,  but  it  was  reprinted  by  the  Society 
in  1895, 

A  fourth  Indian  catechism  was  Eliot's  translation  of  the 
Westminster  Assembly's  Shorter  Catechism,  the  under- 
taking of  which  was  suggested  by  Richard  Baxter,  in  1663. 
At  what  time  it  was  printed  is  not  known,  but  it  is  referred 
to  in   Hi?"),  as  being  in  print.     No  copy  has  been  found. 

The  fifth  Indian  catechism  in  our  list  is  Eliot's  Indian 
Primer.    The  volume  contains  a  large  and  a  short  catechism, 


61 

with  syllables  and   brief   reading  lessons  prefixed.     The 

earliest  edition  known  has  this  title: — 

The  |  Indian  Primer;  |  or,  |  The  way  of  training  up  of 
our  |  Indian  Youth  in  the  good  |  knowledge  of  God,  in 
the  |  knowledge  of  the  Scriptures  |  and  in  an  ability 
to  Reade.  |  Composed  by  J.  E.  |  ...  I  Cambridge^ 
Printed  lfi(>9.  |  32°,  (54  leaves.  In  the  Indian  language. 
(University  of  Edinburgh.) 

The  |  Indian  Primer;  |  or,  |  The  way  of  training  up  of  our 
Indian  Youth  in  |  the  good  knowledge  of  God.  |  By  John 
Eliot.  |  Reprinted  from  the  original  edition  of  1669.  | 
With  an  introduction  by  |  John  Small,  M.A..  |  Libra- 
rian, University  of  Edinburgh.  |  Edinburgh:  Andrew 
Elliot.  |  1877.  |  lo*°,  (2),  xl  pp.,  64  leaves.  (Lenox 
collection.) 

The  |  Indian  Primer;  |  or,  |  The  way  of  training  up  of  our 
Indian  Youth  in  I  the  jrood  knowledge  of  God.  1669. 
|  By  John  Eliot,  |  To  which  is  Prefixed  |  The  Indian 
Covenanting  Confession.  |  Reprinted  from  the  Originals 
in  the  Library  of  |  the  University  of  Edinburgh.  |  With 
an  introduction  |  By  John  Small,  M.  A.,  F.  S.  A.  Scot. 
|  Edinburgh:  Andrew  Elliot.  I  1880.  |  1(1°,  (2),  liv 
pp.,  64  leaves,  folded  sheet. 

[The  Indian  Primer.]     Prow  2'2.  l>.  |  Xchtuhpeh  peisses  i it 
|  inayut    ne   woh    ayont    kali  |  kehchisuit    matta    pish  | 
wunnukkodtumuoon.  |  \_Cambrid<i<\  printed  by   Samuel 
Green,  KJK7?]    1(5°,  40  leaves.    A.-E in  eights.     (Massa- 
chusetts Historical  Society.) 

This  seems  to  be  a  new  impression  of  Eliot's  Indian 
Primer  of  1669,  with  which  it  closely  agrees.  In  1686, 
August  29,  Mr  Eliot  wrote  to  Boyle,  requesting  "that  we 
may  again  reimpose  the  primer  and  catechism  :  for  though 


62 

the  last  impression  be  not  quite  spent,  yet  quickly  they 
will  ;  and  I  am  old,  ready  to  be  gone,  and  desire  to  leave 
as  many  hooks  as  I  can."  A  manuscript  note  on  this  copy, 
in  the  handwiting  of  Rev.  Thomas  Prince,  is  as  follows  : 
"Mr.  B.  Green  says,  composed  by  Mr.  Eliot,  &  Print'1  at 
(nmh.  abl  1684." 

Eliot's  translation  of  Perkins's  Six  Principles  of  Relig- 
ion may  he  counted  as  the  sixth  Indian  catechism.  The 
year  of  its  printing,  if  published  at  all,  is  unknown. 
Increase  Mather  mentions  it  in  a  letter  to  Dr.  Leusden,  in 
1687  ;  and  it  is  referred  to  by  Mr.  Mayhew,  in  his  fndian 
Converts,  p.  168.     The  book  is  not  extant  as  far  as  known. 

The  seventh  Indian  Catechism  was  Grindal  Rawson's 
translation  of  Cotton's  Spiritual  Milk  for  Babes,  which 
appeared  with  the  following  title  : — 

Nashauanittue  Meninnunk  |  wutch  |  Mukkiesog,  |  Wus- 
sesenuunun  wutch  Sogkodtunganash  |  Naneeswe  Testa- 
mentsash  ;  |  wutch  |  Ukkesitchipp(x>ongano:>  Ukketea- 
hogkonnooh.  |  Xegoiuie  wiissukluiinun  ut  Englishmanne 
I'nnon-  |  toowaonganit,  nashpe  ne  anue,  wunnegenue  | 
Nohtoinpeantog.  |  Xoh  asmwesit  |  John  Cotton.  |  Kah 
yeuycu  qushkmnumun en  Indiane  Unnontoo-  |  waonganit 
wutch  oonenehikqunaout  Indiane  |  Mukkiesog,  |  Nashpe 
|  Grindal  Rawson.-j  Wunnannchemookae  Nohtoinpean- 
tog ut  kenugke  |  Indianog.  |  .  .  .  |  Cambridge:  | 
Printeuoop  nashpe  Samuel  Green,  kali  |  Bartholomew 
Green.  1691.  |  8°,  13  pp.  (American  Antiquarian 
Society;  Lenox  collection.) 

Eighth  in  our  list  of  Indian  catechisms  may  he  placed 
CottOD  Mother's  little  manual  for  the  Iroquois  Indians.  In 
the  life  of  the  author  by  his  son  it  is  stated  that  "he 
learned  the  French  and  Spanish  Tongues  and  in  his  Forty- 
fifth  Year  conquered  Iroquois  Indian  :  in  each  of  which  he 
published   Treatises    tor  their   Instruction."     The  accuracy 


63 

of  Mather's  knowledge  of  the  Indian  languages  has  been 
questioned.  In  the  Magnolia  he  relates,  in  describing  the 
ease  of  a  bewitched  young  woman,  how  he  questioned  the 

Demons  in  Latin,  Greek  and  Hebrew,  which  they  under- 
stood, and  then  he  tried  them  with  the  Indian  languages, 
which  they  "did  seem  not  so  well  to  understand.*1  In  com- 
menting on  this  passage,  Dr.  Trumbull  dryly  remarks  that 
"the  devils  who  found  Mather's  Indian  too  hard  for  them 
were  not  without  excuse,"  for,  judging  from  the  specimens 
he  printed;  "he  had  not  mastered  the  rudiments  of  the 
grammar,  and  could  not  construct  an  Indian  sentence 
idiomatically."     The  Iroquois  catechism  has  this  title: — 

Another  Tongue  brought  in,  to  Confess  |  the  Great  Saviour 
of  the  World.    |    Or,    |    Some  Communications    |    of   | 
Christianity,    |  Put  into  a  Tongue  used  among  the   | 
Iroquois   Indians,    |    in  America.    |   And,   Put  into  the 
Hands   of  the   English   |   and  the   Dutch  Traders  :  |  To 
accommodate  the  Great  Intention  of  |  Communicating 
the    Christian    |    Religion,    unto   the    Salvages,    |    among 
whom  they  may  find  any  thing  j  of  this  Language  to  be 
Intelligible.  |  .    .    .  |  Boston:   Printed  hy  11.    Green.  \ 
1707.  |  8°,  16  pp.      (Lenox  collection.) 

The  preface  is  addressed  "To  the  English  and  Dutch 
Traders,  among  the  Iroquois  Indians, "  and  from  it  the  fol- 
lowing extracts  are  made  : — 

"The  Popish  Missionaries  in  their  Compassing  Sea  and 

Land  that  thev  may  make  Proselytes,  have  Penetrated  So 
deep  West-ward  in  our  North-America,  as  to  Address  the 
Iroquois  Indians,  with  some  Instructions  of  that  Christianity, 
which  has  been  debased  and  depraved  by  their  commixed 
Popery.  Certainly,  The  zeal  of  Protestants,  to  Propagate 
our  Holy  Religion,  well  Purified  from  the  Popish  Mixtures, 
ought  to  be  more  Flaming,  more  Lively,  than  any  thing 
that  we  can  see  in  the  Church  of  Rome,  to  Enlarge  the 
Empire  of  Antichrist.  The  Honour  of  our  Profession, 
calls  for  more  Zeal  in   this  matter:    Without    it,  our  Sin- 


64 

cerity  in  our  Profession  cannot  well  be  justified.  The 
Greatest  Service,  that  can  be  done  to  Mankind,  is  to  intro- 
duce Pure  Christianity  every  where.  .  .  .  Oh!  That  a 
Spirit  for  the  Propagation  of  Christianity,  were  more 
Operative  among  those.  Who  say  they  are  Christians  !  .  .  . 
Brethren,  Von  have  here  put  into  your  Hands,  the  First 
and  Main  Points  of  the  Christian  Religion.  That  famous 
Grotius,  wrote  his  Book,  of,  The  Verity  of  the  Christian 
Religion,  on  purpose  to  furnish  his  Countrymen,  with  mat- 
ter  of  Discourse  among  the  Pagans  in  the  Indies,  whither 
they  travelled  in  their  Trading  Voyages.  Both  Matter  and 
Language  too,  (as  the  Prophet  Jeremiah  did  with  his 
Chaldee)  is  here  put  into  the  Hands  of  the  Traders  with 
the  Indian  Pagans.  Tis  in  that  very  Language,  in  which 
the  Popish  Missionaries  among  the  Iroquois  Indians,  have 
composed  (tho' not  Published)  a  Catechism,  full  of  Grose 
Things,  which  were  to  be  Expected  from  the  Men  of  their 
Intentions.  There  may  be  a  Variety  of  Dialect  in  the  Lan- 
guage of  Iroquois  Indians  ;  But  it  is  possible,  this  little 
composure  may  somewhat  facilitate  your  Applications  to 
them,  especially  to  some  of  them,  whither  your  Prosecution 
of  your  Temporal  Interests  may  carry  you.  You  are  now 
earnestly  Sollicited,  That  you,  who  are  Traders  for  Bever- 
Skins,  would  be  as  Instrumental  as  you  can  to  Convey  the 
Garments  of  Righteousness  and  Salvation,  among  the  Naked 
Salvages;  That  while  you  seek  to  Enrich  your  selves  by 
Trading  with  the  wretched  Salvages,  You  may  try  to 
Administer  unto  them  in  Spiritual  things,  and  to  communi- 
cate the  Unsearchable  Riches  of  Christ  unto  them:  That  if 
the  Providence  of  (iod  may  cast  you  in  your  Travels, 
among  the  Indians,  where  the  Language  of  the  Iroquois  in 
this  Dialect  of  it,  may  he  of  any  use,  in  your  communica- 
tion, you  would  with  all  possible  Alacrity,  lay  hold  on  all 
Opportunities,  to  mention  these  Illustrious  Truths  of  the 
Gospel  unto  them.  Who  can  tell,  hut  the  Great  Cod  may 
bring  some  of  His  Elect  in  your  way  !  Oh  !  How  Blessed 
are  you,  if  you  may  he  the  Instruments  of  bringing  any 
Such  home  unto  the  Lord!  Who  can  tell,  but  the  Intima- 
tions which  You  may  give  unto  Some  or  other  of  the  Salv- 
ages, may  awaken  them  to  Repair  unto  the  English,  or  the 
Dutch  Christians,  who  may  Expound  the  way  of  (iod  more 
perfectly  unto  them!      Who  can  tell,   hut  as  Fruinentius 


65 

and  AKDcsius  of  old,  when  they  were  by  accident  oasi 

into  One  of  the  Kingdoms  of  (lie  Inner  Indiii,  Some  of  von 
may  be,  in  Gods  time  for  it,  the  Instruments  of  drawing  a 
whole  Nation  to  Christianity. 

But  if  we  miss  of  every  other  Good  End  in  this  Essay, 
yet  this  End  will  be  gained.  The  precious  Name  of  OUT 
Lord  .Jesus  Christ,  is  now  Mentioned,  and  Honoured  in  a 
Language,  wherein  there  was  never  before  now,  any  such 
Publick  Expression  of  it.  Oh  !  when  shall  the  Day  arrive, 
wherein  Every  Knee  shall  how,  and  every  Tongue  shall 
confess  unto  that  Glorious  Lord." 

The  questions  and  answers  are  printed  in  Indian,  Latin, 
English  and  Dutch. 

Our  ninth  Indian  catechism  is  anonymous  ;  and  although 
it  has  a  similar  title  to  that  of  Eliot's  Indian  Primer,  it 
differs  considerably  from  it.  There  is  some  probability 
that  Experience  Mayhew  may  have  prepared  the  book,  for 
the  use  of  Indians  on  Martha's  Vineyard.  Leaves  .">0-4(> 
contain  Grindal  Rawson's  translation  of  Cotton's  Spiritttal 
Milk  for  Babes,  with  changes  in  the  orthography.  Two 
editions  of  this  primer-catechism  are  known,  as  follows  : — 

Indiane   |   Primer  |    Asuh   |   Negonneyeuuk.    |   Ne  oashpe 
Mukkiesog  |   Woh   |   tauog  wunnamuhkuttee  |  ogketa- 

uiunnate  Indiane  |  Unnontoowaonk.  |  Kali  |  Meninnnnk 
wutch   |   Mukkiesog.    |   Mushauibomuk :   \   Printeuun   \ 
nashpe  B.  Green.  |  1720.  | 

[Second  title  :] 

The     Indian  |  Primer  |  or  |  The    First    Book.  |  By    which 
Children  |  may  |  know    trnely  |  to    read    the     Indian  | 
Language.    |    And    |    Milk    for    |    Babes.    |    Boston:    \ 
Printed  \  by  B.    Green.  |  1720.  |  12°,    8 1    leaves.       In 
Indian  and  English,  alternate  pages.      (  Lenox  collection  ; 
American  Antiquarian  Society,  fragment.) 
5 


66 

Indiane  |  Primer  |  asuh  |  Negonneyeuuk  |  Ne  nashpe 
Mukkiesog  |  Woh  |  tauog  wunnainuhkuttee  |  Ogketa- 
niunnate  Indiane  |  Unnontoowaonk.  |  Kali  |  Meninnunk 
wutch  Mukkiesog.     |    Mushauwomuk:    |    Printeuun 

MhCCXLVII.    | 

[Second  title :] 

The  Indian  |  Primer  |  or  |  The  First  Book  |  By  which 
Children  |  May  |  Know  tamely  |  To  read  the  Indian  | 
Language.  And  |  Milk  for  |  Babes.  |  Boston:  | 
Printed  MncgxLVii.  |  12°^  84  leaves.  In  Indian  and 
English,  alternate  pages.  (Edward  E.  Ayer,  Chicago ; 
Lenox  collection,  incomplete ;  American  Antiquarian 
Society,  fragment.) 

The  edition  of  1747  was  probably  printed  by  S.  Knee- 
land  and  T.  Green. 

The  tenth  Indian  catechism  forms  part  of  a  little  manual 
prepared  for  the  Moheakunnuk  or  Stockbridge  Indians,  by 
Rev.  John  Sergeant,  who  was  missionary  among  them  from 
1735  until  his  death  in  1749.  The  publication  consists  of 
two  pamphlets,  sewed  together,  of  which  the  first  contains 
on  pp.  8—15,  a  translation  of  Dr.  Watts's  Shorter  Cate- 
chism for  Children.  There  is  no  title,  but  headings  only, 
as  below  : — 

A  Morning  Prayer  [pp.  1-6]. — An  Evening  Prayer  [pp. 
6,  7]. — Catechism  [pp.  8-15]. — A  Prayer  before  Sermon 
[pp.  1-8]. — A  Prayer  after  Sermon  and  Baptism  [pp.  8- 
10]. — A  Prayer  to  be  used  at  the  Sacrament,  tVcc.  [pp. 
K)_U]._A  Prayer  for  the  Sick  [pp.  15,  16].— For  the 
Afflicted  [pp.  16,  17]. — Thanks  returned  for  Recovery, 
&c.  [pp.  17,  18]. — A  Prayer  after  Sermon  [pp.  18-21]. 
—A  Geneial  Prayer  [pp.  22,  23].  [Boston?  1740?] 
12°,  15,  23  pp.  In  the  Molicgan  or  Stockbridge  Indian 
language.      (American  Antiquarian  Society.) 


67 

The  eleventh  Indian  catechism  in  our  enumeration  Lb  a 
translation  of  the  Westminster  Assembly's  Shorter  Cate- 
chism, etc.,  made  for  the ••  Moheakunnuk  or  Stoekbridge 
Indians.  The  version  is  attributed  to  John  Quinney,  one 
of  the  tribe,  who  probably  was  interpreter  to  the  Rev.  .John 
Sergeant,  during  his  ministry  among  the  Indians,  from 
1735  to  1749.  There  is  no  record,  however,  of  the  print- 
ing of  an  edition  at  that  early  date.  The  work  described 
below  was  published  after  the  Indians  had  removed  from 
Stoekbridge,  Mass.,  to  New  Stoekbridge,  N.  V.,  and  it 
was  probably  done  under  the  supervision  of  Rev,  John 
Sergeant  the  younger,  who  at  that  time  was  their  pastor: — 

The  |  Assembly's  |  Catechism.  |  Printed  at  Stoekbridge, 
Massachusetts,  |  by  Loving  Andrews.  |  .1795.  |  8°,  31 
pp.  In  the  Mohegau  or  Stoekbridge  Indian  language. 
(Lenox  collection.) 

The  Assembly's  Shorter  Catechism  (pp.  3-27),  is  fol- 
lowed by  Dr.  Watts's  Shorter  Catechism  for  Children,  pp, 
27-31.  The  latter  is  a  revision,  with  changes  in  spelling, 
of  the  elder  Mr.  Sergeant's  version  of  about  1740.  A. 
later  edition  is  as  follows  : — 

The  Assembly's  |  Shorter  Catechism.  [Stoekbridge? 
1818?]  18°,  34  pp.  In  the  Mohegan  or  Stoekbridge 
Indian  language.      (Massachusetts  Historical  Society.) 

The  first  twenty-five  pages  contain  a  reprint  of  the 
edition  of  1795  ;  the  remainder  of  the  pamphlet  consists  of 
scripture  verses  and  metrical  psalms,  probably  translated 
by  Capt.  Hendrik  Aupaumut,  a  chief  of  the  Stoekbridge 
tribe.  This  edition  was  also  prepared,  without  doubt,  at 
the  instance  of  Rev.  John  Sergeant,  about  the  time  of  the 
removal  of  the  Stoekbridge  Indians  from  New  York  State 
to  Indiana  in  1818,  and  to  Fox  River,  Wisconsin,  in  1822. 
In  1821,  Mr.  Sergeant  wrote:  "I  am  in  hopes  to  obtain 


68 

copies  of  Elliot's  Bible  in  the  Indian  language,  and  am  of 
opinion,  that  this  Bible  will  be  understood  by  a  good  part 
of  the  natives  in  the  N.  W.  Territory." 

The  Westminster  Assembly's  Shorter  Catechism. 

[1647.] 

The  Assembly's  Shorter  Catechism,  "that  Golden  Com- 
posure," as  Cotton  Mather  calls  it,  took  the  place  in  course 
of  time  of  nearly  every  other  catechism  in  New  England. 
It  was  first  printed  at  London  in  November,  1647,  in 
quarto  and  in  octavo,  and  at  Edinburgh  in  the  same  year 
in  quarto,  all  for  official  use  and  without  the  Scripture 
proofs.  After  a  careful  Consideration  by  Parliament,  and 
the  addition  of  the  proofs,  it  was  finally  ordered  to  be 
printed  for  public  use,  September  15,  1648,  and  it  was 
forthwith  published  with  this  title  : — 

The  Humble  Advice  of  the  Assembly  of  Divines,  now  by 
authority  of  Parliament  sitting  at  Westminster,  concern- 
ing A  Shorter  Catechism  ;  presented  by  them  lately  to 
both  Houses  of  Parliament.  With  the  proofs  thereof 
out  of  the  Scriptures.     London,  1648.     40.1 

The  editions  of  1647  have  the  same  title,  omitting  the 
line  about  the  proofs.  The  edition  I  have  consulted  is  the 
following : — 

The  Humble  |  Advice  |  Of  the  |  Assemblie  |  of  |   Divines 
|  Now  by  Authority  of  |  Parliament  |  Sitting  at  |  West- 
minster, |  Concerning  |  A   Shorter  Catechisme:  |  With 
the  Proofs  thereof  at  large  out  of  the  Scriptures.  |  Pre 
sented  by  them  lately  to  both  Houses  of  |  Parliament.  | 

■See  Mitchell's  CateeMema  of  the  Second  Reformation  (London,  1886),  pp.  txxli, 

lxxili,  for  titles  of  the  earliest  editions.  The  catechism  was  reprinted  at  London 
in  1648,  1660,  1654,  1660,  1680,  1688,  and  also  under  the  title  of  The  Grounds  and 
i'rhnif,irs  of  BeHgUm. 


89 

London,  |  Printed  by  A.  Maxey  for  John  Rothwell  at 
the  Fountain  in  \  Gold-Smiths  Roto  in  Cheap-side, 
1658.  |  4°,  43  pp.      (Lenox  collection.) 

This  copy  is  bound  with  "The  Humble  Advice  of  the 
Assembly"  concerning  the  Confession  of  Faith  and  concern- 
ing the  Larger  Catechism,  both  printed  in  the  same  year. 
In  the  early  editions  all  three  parts  were  usually  issued 
together,  in  one  volume.  Prefixed  to  the  Shorter  Cate- 
chism is  this  order  : — 

"Die  Lume  15.  Septemb.  1648. 
It  is  this  day  Ordered  by  the  Lords  and  Commons  in 
Parliament  assembled,  That  this  Shorter  Catechisme  be 
forthwith  Printed  and  Published,  wherein  Mr.  Henry 
Roborough  and  Mr.  Adoniram  Byfield,  Scribes  of  the 
Assembly  of  Divines,  are  required  to  use  all  possible  care 
and  diligence,  that  it  be  from  time  to  time  faithfully  and 
exactly  done  :  and,  for  preventing  of  all  abuse  therein  ;  It 
is  further  Ordered,  That  no  person  whatsoever,  do  presume 
to  Print,  or  Reprint  the  same  in  any  Volume,  but  onely 
such  as  shall  be  appointed  and  authorized  thereunto  by  the 
said  Scribes.  And  that  no  person  or  persons,  shall  pre- 
sume to  sell,  barter,  or  any  way  to  spread  or  convey  any 
Book  or  Copies  of  the  said  Catechisme,  Printed  without  the 
appointment  aforesaid,  upon  pain  of  forfeiture  of  the  whole 
Impression,  if  any  such  be  so  Printed  ;  and  of  all  such 
Books  or  Copies  thereof,  as  shall  be  offered  to  sale,  barter- 
ing, or  be  any  other  waves  spread  ;  and  all  and  every 
person  offending  in  any  of  the  premises,  to  be  liable  to 
such  farther  punishment,  as  the  contempt  of  an  Ordinance 
of  Parliament  shall  deserve,  provided  that  this  restriction 
of  Printing  shall    continue  for  one  whole  year,   and   no 


longer, 


Jo.  Brown  Cleric.  Parliamentorum. 
H.  Elsynge  Cler.  Pari.  D.  Com." 


The  well-known  questions  and  answers  are  preceded  by 
this  heading:  "To  the  Right  Honorable  the  Lords  and 
Commons  Assembled  in  Parliament :  The  Humble  Advice 
of  the  Assembly  of  Divines  Sitting  at  Westminster :  Con- 


cerning A  Shorter  Catechisme." 


70 

"  Quest.     What  is  the  chief  end  of  Man  ? 

Ansiv.  Man's  chief  end  is  to  glorifie  God,  and  to  enjoy 
him  for  ever. 

Q.  What  rule  hath  God  given  to  direct  us  how  we  may 
glorifie  and  enjoy  him? 

A.  The  Word  of  God  (which  is  contained  in  the 
Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New  Testament)  is  the  onely  rule 
to  direct  us  how  we  may  glorifie  and  enjoy  him. 

Q.     What  do  the  Scriptures  principally  teach?     . 

A.  The  Scriptures  principally  teach,  what  man  is  to 
believe  concerning  God,  and  what  duty  God  requires  of 
man." 

The  earliest  American  edition  of  which  T  have  found  any 
mention  is  the  following  title  from  the  addenda  to  Haven's 
list,  which  would  seem  to  be  something  more  than  the 
ordinary  catechism  : — 

The  Assembly's  Shorter  Catechism,  divided  into  52  Parts. 

Cambridge,  1665.     8°. 

Another  edition  was  probably  printed  at  Cambridge  in 
1(>(>8,  for  the  knowledge  of  which  I  am  indebted  to  Dr. 
Samuel  A.  Green's  Remarks  on  the  Early  History  of 
Printing  in  JVew  England,  made  before  the  Massachusetts 
Historical  Society,  February  11,  1897,  and  printed  in  the 
Society's  Proceedings,  as  well  as  in  a  separate  pamphlet. 
The  General  Court  had  ordered.  May  21,  1667,  that  no 
books  should  be  printed  without  license,  under  penalty  of 
a  fine  of  five  pounds  and  forfeiture  of  all  the  impressions. 
On   September  3,   L668,   Samuel  Green  and  Marmaduke 

Johnson  were  summoned  before  the  Council  in  Boston, 
and  were  required  to  give  an  account  of  what  books  they 
had  lately  printed,  and  by  what  authority.  The  list  sub- 
mitted by  Mr.  Green  contains  seven  titles,  as  given  below, 
all  of  which  were  probably  issued  in  1668.  The  fourth 
title  is  without  doubt  the  Shorter  Catechism  : — 

"The  warrants  were  Read  y'  were  sent  for  for  Samuel! 
Grenc  Printer  &c.  being askt  what  bookes  he  had  printed 
for  whom  &  by  w*  Authority  he  Ansrd 


71 

[1]  a  Drop  of  Honey  he  printed  for  himself — 

2  ye  Rule  of  yc  new  Creature  : 

3  ye  Avay  to  a  blessed  Estate  in  this  life. 

4  The  Assembly  of  Divines'  Chatchise 

5  a  narration  of  ye  plague  &  tier  at  London. 

6  Tidings  from  Roome  the  grand  Trappan 

7  j*  he  had  licenc  for  them  all  from  :  y°  President  &  Mr 

Michelle  &  ye  young  mans  monitor : " 

Of  the  numerous  later  editions  of  the  Shorter  Catechism 
which  were  printed  in  New  England  the  following  may  be 
noted  : — 

The  Shorter  |  Catechism  |  Composed  by  the  |  Reverend 
Assembly  |  of  |  Divines  |  With  the  |  Proofs  thereof  | 
Out  of  the  Scriptures,  |  In  Words  at  length.  |  Which 
are  either  some  of  the  formerly  |  Quoted  Places,  or 
others  gathered  from  |  their  other  Writings  ;  All  fitted, 
both  |  for  Brevity  and  Clearness,  to  this  their  |  Form  of 
Sound  Words.  |  For  the  benefit  of  Christians  in  General, 
and  of  Youth,  |  and  Children  in  Vnderstanding,  in  Par- 
ticular;  that  they  |  may  with  more  Ease  acquaint  them- 
selves with  the  Truths  |  according  to  the  Scriptures,  and 
with  the  Scriptures  |  themselves.  |  Boston  in  New  Eng- 
land, |  Printed  by  Samuel  Sewall.  1(583.  |  8°,  (2),  54 
pp.      (Fisher  Howe,  Jr.,  Esq.,  Chestnut  Hill,  Mass.) 

The  Shorter  |   Catechism  |  Composed  by  the  |   Reverend 

Assembly  of  |  Divines  I  At  Westminster.  |  With  Proofs 
thereof  out  of  the  Scriptures  |  Which  are  either  some  of 
the  former-  |  ly  quoted  places,  or  others  gathered  |  from 
their  other  Writings;  all  fitted  |  both  for  Brevity  A 
Clearness,  to  this  |  their  Form  of  Sound  Words.  |  For 
the  Benefit  of  Christians  in  ge-  |  neral,  and  of  Youth  A 
Children  in  un-  |  derstanding  in  particular:  that  they  | 
may  with  more  ease  acquaint  them-  |  selves  with  the 
Truth  according  to  the  |  Scriptures,  and  with  the  Script- 


72 

area  |  themselves.  |  [Boston ;]    Printed  by  B.  Harris, 
and  J.   Allen,  |  and  are  to  be  Sold  at  the   London-  | 
Coffee  House.       1693  |  8°,  31,    (3)   pp.       (Prince  col- 
lection in  the  Boston  Public  Library.) 

The  Shorter  |  Catechism,  |  Composed  by  the  |  Reverend 
Assembly  of  |  Divines  |  With  the  Proofs  thereof  out  of 
the  |  Scriptures,  in  Words  at  length.  |  Which  are  either 
some  of  the  formerly  quoted  |  Places,  or  others  gathered 
from  their  other  |  Writings  ;  All  fitted,  both  for  brevity 
&  |  Clearness,  to  this  their  Form  of  Sound  Words.  |  For 
the  benefit  of  Christians  in  General,  and  |  of  Youth,  and 
Children  of  Understanding,  in  |  Particular ;  that  they 
may  with  more  Ease  |  acquaint  themselves  with  the 
Truth  according  |  to  the  Scriptures,  and  with  the  Script- 
ures |  themselves.  |  Boston,  in  New-England.  \  Printed 
by  B.  Green,  and  J.  Allen.  |  1698.  |  8°,  (2),  4(>  pp. 
(Massachusetts  Historical  Society.)  Title  from  Dr. 
Samuel  A.  Green's  Early  American  Imprints,  p.  110. 

The  Shorter  |  Catechism,  j  Agreed  upon  by  the  |  Reverend 
Assembly  |  of  |  Divines  |  at  |  Westminster  |  Boston:  | 
Printed  for  Samuel   Gerrish,  |   in   Coni/u'fl.  |    1729.  | 
12°,  24  pp.      (American  Antiquarian  Society,  lacking 
pp.  21-24.) 

The  Shorter  |  Catechism  |  Composed  by  the  |  Reverend 
Assembly  |  of  |  Divines.  |  With  the  Proofs  thereof  out 
of  the  |  Scriptures,  in  Words  at  length.  |  Which  are 
either  some  of  the  formerly  |  quoted  Places,  or  others 
gathered  from  j  their  other  Writings:  All  fitted,  both 
for  |  Brevity  and  Clearness,  to  this  their  Form  |  of 
Sound  Words.  |  For  the  Benefit  of  Christians  in  general, 
and  of  I  Youth,  and  Children  in  Understanding  in  |  par- 
ticular; that  they  may  with  more  Base  |  acquaint  them- 
selves with  the  Truth  according  |  to  the  Scriptures,  and 


73 

with  the  Scriptures  |  themselves.  |  Boston:  Printed  by 
J.  Draper,  for  the  \  Booksellers,  1740.  |  8°,  (2),  16 
pp.  (American  Antiquarian  Society;  Livermore  col- 
lection.) 

The  Shorter  Catechism   .    .    .   with  Scripture  Proofs   .    .    . 
New  London,  174(5.      12°.     A  copy  was  in  the  Brinley 
collection,  No.  5872. 

The  Assembly's  Shorter  Catechism:  with  a  brief  Explica- 
tion, 4>y  I.  Watts.  The  Sixth  Edition.  Boston,  1748. 
12°.  (Watkinson  Library,  Hartford.)  A  copy  was  in 
the  Brinley  collection,  No.  5875. 

The  Shorter  |  Catechism,  |  agreed  upon  by  the  |  Reverend 

Assembly  |    of   |   Divines  |   at   |  Westminster.  |  Boston: 
|.  Printed  and   Sold  by  Thomas  Fleet,  \  at  the  Heart 
and  Grown  in   Cornhill.  |  1751.  |  8°,  24  pp.      (Boston 
Public  Library.) 

The  Shorter  |  Cathechism  |  Agreed  upon  by  the  |  Reverend 

Assembly  |  of  |    Divines   |   at  |  Westminster.  |  Boston: 

|  Printed  and  sold  by  T.  and  J.  Fleet,  \  at  the  Heart 

and  Crown,  1759.  |  8°,  24  pp.      (New  York  Historical 

Society.) 

The  Shorter  Catechism,  with  the  Proofs  at  length.  Boston, 
1762.  12°,  48  pp.  Title  from  Haven's  list.  There 
was  a  copy  in  the  Brinley  collection,  No.  5872. 

The  Shorter  |  Catechism,  |  Agreed  upon  by  the  |  Reverend 
Assembly  |  of  |  Divines  |  at  |  Westminster.  |  Boston: 
Printed  for  the  |  Booksellers.  17(52.  |  12°,  24  pp. 
(Livermore  collection. ) 

The  Shorter  |  Catechism,  |  Agreed  upon  by  the  |  Reverend 

Assembly  |  of  |    Divines    |    at    |    Westminster.  |   Boston: 

|  Printed  and  Sold  by  Thomas  and  John  \  Fleet,  at 


74 

the  Heart  and  Crown,    |   in  Cornhill,   1765.    |   8°,  23, 
(1)  pp.      (American  Antiquarian  Society.) 

The  Shorter  Catechism   .   .   .  with  Scripture  Proofs  .   .   . 
Boston,  1768.     12°.     There  was  a  copy  in  the  Brinley 
collection,  No.  5872. 

The  Shorter  Catechism,  agreed  upon  by  the  Reverend 
Assembly  of  Divines  at  Westminster,  with  Scripture 
Proofs.  New  Haven:  Meigs  &  Dana,  178(5.  8°,  30 
pp.  Title  from  Stevens's  Historical  Collections,  part  1 
(London,  1881),  No.  105. 

The  form  in  which  the  Shorter  Catechism  came  to  be 
most  widely  used,  especially  in  the  latter  half  of  the  eigh- 
teenth century,  was  in  the  numerous  editions  of  the  New 
England  Primer,  the  bibliography  of  which  is  fully  treated 
in  Mr.  Ford's  careful  monograph.  Every  edition  examined 
by  him,  from  1727  to  1800,  contained  the  Shorter  Cate- 
chism, which  in  some  cases  was  followed  by  Cotton's  Milk 
for  Babes. 

The  Westminster  Assembly's  Larger   Catechism. 

[1647.] 

The  Larger  Catechism  of  the  Westminster  Assembly 
was  first  printed  a  little  before  the  Shorter  Catechism. 
The  official  edition,  without  the  Scripture  proofs,  appeared 
in  October,  1647,  in  quarto  and  in  octavo,  and  it  was 
reprinted  at  Edinburgh  in  the  same  year,  in  quarto.  Par- 
liament authorized  its  publication  in  September,  1648, 
with  the  addition  of  the  proofs,  and  it  came  out  with  this 
title  :— 

The  Humble  Advice  of  the  Assembly  of  Divines,  now  by 
authority  of  Parliament  sitting  at  Westminster,  concern- 
ing A  larger  Catechism  ;    presented  by  them  lately  to 


75 

both  Houses  of  Parliament.      With  the  proofs  thereof 
out  of  the  Scriptures.     London,  1648.     40.1 

The  Larger  Catechism  was  originally  issued  with  the 
Confession  of  Faith  and  the  Shorter  Catechism,  hound  in 
oiie  volume.  Some  of  the  early  editions  have  a  general 
title,  like  the  two  following : — 

The  Humble  Advice  of  the  Assembly  of  Divines  now  by 
authority  of  Parliament  sitting  at  Westminster,  concern- 
ing— I.  A  Confession  of  Faith,  II.  A  Larger  Catechism, 
III.  A  Shorter  Catechism,  presented  by  them  lately  to 
both  Houses  of  Parliament.  Printed  at  London,  and 
reprinted  at  Edinburgh,  mdcxlviii.  4°.  (British 
Museum.) 

The  |  Confession  |  of  |  Faith,  |  And  the  |  Larger  ft 
Shorter  |  Catechism,  |  First  agreed  upon  by  the  | 
Assembly  of  Divines  at  |  Westminster.  |  And  now 
approved  by  the  |  General  Assembly  of  the  Kirk  of  | 
Scotland,  to  be  a  part  of  Uni-  |  formity  in  Religion 
between  |  the  Kirks  of  Christ  in  the  |  three  Kingdoms. 
|  Together  with  the  solemn  League  and  |  Covenant  of 
the  three  Kingdoms.  |  First  Printed  at  Edinburgh,  and 
now  |  re-printed  at  London  for  the  Com-  |  pant/  of 
Stationers.  1656.  |  12°,  (8),  182,  (2)  pp.  Followed 
by  the  Director//  for  the  Publique  Worship  of  God,  (2), 
ill  pp.  The  Larger  Catechism  fills  pp.  <>i)-15:i;  the 
Shorter  Catechism,  pp.  155-182.  (Union  Theological 
Seminary.) 

The  edition  I  have  used  is  bound  with  the  Confession  of 

Faith  and  the  Shorter  Catechism  of    L658,  and  has  the  fol- 
lowing title  : — 

The  Humble  |  Advice  |  of  the  |  Assembly  |  of  |  Divines,  | 
Now    by  Authority  of  Parliament  sitting  at  |  Westinins- 

1  See  Mitchell's  Cat&h  tcma  tfthe  8eeond  Reformatio*,  i»i>.  lxxii,  lxxiii.  The  title* 
of  the  editions  of  1647  are  the  same,  omitting  the  line  about  the  proofs. 


78 

ter,  |  Concerning  |  A  Larger  ( Vitechisme,  |  Presented  by 
them  lately  to  both  Houses  of  |  Parliament,  |  With  the 
Proofs  thereof  at  large  out  of  the  Scriptures.  |  London, 
|  Printed  by  A.  Maxey  for  the  Company  of  Stationers, 
and  |  J.  liothwel,  at  the  Fountain  in  Cheapside.  \ 
[1658.]  4°,  (2),  157  pp.  Pages  137,  138  are  omitted 
in  the  pagination.      (Lenox  collection.) 

The  Catechism  begins  thus :  "  The  Larger  Catechism 
Agreed  upon  by  the  Assembly  of  Divines  At  Westminster." 

"Quest.     What  is  the  chief  and  highest  end  of  man? 

Answ.  Mans  Chief  and  Highest  End,  is,  to  glorifie 
God,  and  fully  to  enjoy  him  for  ever. 

Quest.     How  doth  it  appear,  that  there  is  a  God? 

Answ.  The  very  light  of  Nature  in  man,  and  the  works 
of  God,  declare  that  there  is  a  God,  but  his  Word  and 
Spirit  only,  do  sufficiently,  and  effectually  reveal  him  unto 
men  for  their  salvation. 

Q.     What  is  the  Word  of  God? 

A.  The  Holy  Scriptures  of  the  old  and  new  Testament 
are  the  Word  of  God,  the  only  rule  of  Faith  and  Obedi- 
ence." 

The  Larger  Catechism  was  reprinted  in  New  England  as 
follows  : — 

The  |  Confession  of  Faith,  |  Together  with  the  |  Larger 
Catechism  ;  |  Composed  by  the  Reverend  |  Assembly  of 
Divines  |  Then  Sitting  at  Westminster.  |  Presented  to 
Both  Houses  of  Parliament.  |  With  a  brief  Sum  of  | 
Christian  Doctrine,  |  Contained  in  Holy  Scripture,  And 
|  holden  forth  in  the  Confession  of  |  Faith  and  Cate- 
chism. |  ...  |  Boston:  in  JV.  E.  |  Re-printed  by  S. 
h'lteeland,  for  D.  Henchman,  at  his  |  Shop  in  Corn- 
Hill.  L723.  [  8°,  (2),  161,  (1)  pp.  The  Larger  Cate- 
chism  fills  pp.  57-124.      (Lenox  collection.) 

The  Larger  Catechism  first  agreed  upon  by  the  Assembly 
of  Divines  at  Westminster  .  .  .  Boston,  1750.  12°. 
Title  from  Haven's  list. 


77 

The  |  Larger  Catechism  |  First  agreed  upon  l>y  the  | 
Assembly  of  Divines  |  at  |  Westminster,  |  And  now 
appointed  by  the  |  General  Assembly  |  of  the  |  Church 
of  Scotland,  |  To  he  a  Part  of  Uniformity  in  Religion 
between  the  |  Churches  of  Christ  in  the  Three  Kingdoms. 
|  Boston;  New-England:  \  lie-printed  by  Fowle  and 
Draper,  and  to  be  Sold  at  their  \  Office  opposite  the 
Founder's- Arms,  Marlborough- Street.  |  M.DOO.LXn.  I 
8°,  41  pp.     (American  Antiquarian  Society.) 

Miscellaneous  (  'atkchisms. 

[1()<)8?-17!)8.] 

Besides  the  catechisms  already  described,  there  are  others 
which  fall  into  a  general  group,  including  some  of  New 
England  origin,  and  some  reprinted  from  English  publica- 
tions. 

At  the  examination  of  Marmaduke  .Johnson  before  the 
Council  in  Boston,  September  3,  1668,1  referred  to  on  a 
preceding  page,  he  was  asked  what  books  he  had  lately 
printed  and  by  what  authority,  to  which  he  answered: — 

[1]  w  he  printed  the  primer :  &  and 

[2]  ye  psalter : 

[3]   2.   Meditations  on  death  &  eternity 

[4]   3  (  :  4  ye  Rise  spring  &c  of  yc  Annabaptists 

[5]   5  Isle  of  Pines  : 

[ti]  he  hath  y"  Righteous  mans  :  euidenc  for  heauen. 
by  Mr  Rogrs  he  had  licenc  for  all  by  mr.  Presidnt 
tVc.  mr.  Chancey  but  y*  Isle  of  Pines." 

If  the  Primer  mentioned  in  the  first  title  of  this  list  was 
not  in  Indian,  and  if  it  was  anything  like  the  later  N.  \\ 
England  Primers  in  character,  it  is  probable  that  it  con- 
tained something  of  a  catechism.  The  following  publica- 
tions are  arranged  chronologically  : — 


'  Dr.  Samuel  A.  Green's  Remark*  <>n  ih<   Early  History  <>/  I'lintm-j  <<>  ffi  w  Eng- 
land, p.  11. 


78 

1685. 

The   Protestant  T[utor?]  |  for  |  Children.]  |  The  Doner 
thereof  v[  I  Health  and  Persev[  |  the  Gospel 

in  Jesus  Christ.  |  To  which  is  Added  Verses  made  l>v 
Mr.  John  |  Rogers  a  Martyr  in  Queen  Maries  Reign.  | 
I  Kings  18.  21.  And  Elijah  came  unto  all  the  |  People, 
and  said,  How  long  halt  ye  between  |  two  Opinions? 
If  the  Lord  be  God,  follow  |  him  :  But  if  Baal,  then  fol- 
low him.     And  the  |  People  answered  him  not  a  word. 

|  Boston  in  New-England,  Printed  by  Samuel  |  Green, 
And  are  to  be  Sold  by  John  Griffin  |  in  Boston,  16  [85.] 

|  24°,  title  (mutilated)  and  19  pp.,  Mr.  Rogers's  verses 
(10)  pp.  A  and  B  in  eights,  including  2  blank  leaves, 
at  front  and  end.      (American  Antiquarian  Societ}'.) 

The  first  three  questions  and  answers  are  : — 

"  Quest.     What  Religion  do  you  profess  ? 
Ans.     The  Christian  Religion  commonly  called  the  Pro- 
testant, in  opposition  to  Popery. 

Q.     What  Miracles  is  [Relijgion  confirmed  by? 
A.     By  Divine  Miracles  [etc] . 
Q.     What  confirmation  hath  the  Popish  way? 
A.     Devilish  [etc]." 

I  am  indebted  to  Mr.  Paul  L.  Ford  for  information  that 
the  first  edition  of  The  Protestant  Tutor,  of  which  the 
above  is  merely  an  extract,  was  printed  at  London  by 
Benjamin  Harris  in  ll!79.      Harris  was  probably  the  author. 

1688, 

An  |  Exposition  |  On  the  |  Church-Catechism:  |  Or  the  | 
Practice  |  of  Divine  Love.  |  Composed  |  For  the 
Diocese  of  Hath  &  Wells.  |  London.  |  Printed  for 
Charles  Brome,  at  the  West-end  of  St.  Paul's,  |  and 
William  Clarke  in  Winchester  L685,  |  Boston  in  New- 
England,  |  Reprinted  by  Richard  Pierce  Anno  Domini 
|  MiKLwwiii.  I  4°,  ((5),  120,  (1)  pp.  (American 
Antiquarian  Society.) 


79 

The  Exposition  is  usually  bound  with  : — Articles  |  Agreed 
upon  by  the  |  Archbishops  and  Bishops  |  of  both  Provinces, 
and  the  whole  |  Clergy  I  Iii  the  Convocation  holden  at 
London  |  In  the  Year  mdlxii.  |  For  the  avoiding  of  Diver- 
sities of  Opinions,  and  for  the  |  Stablishing  of  Consent 
touching  True  Religion.  |  [Boston:"]  Printed  in  the  year 
MDCLX.wviii.  |  4°,  (2),  14  pp.  (American  Antiquarian 
Society.)  The  above  title  and  description  is  from  Mr. 
Nathaniel  Paine's  Early  American  Imprints  (Worcester, 
1896),  pp.  43,  44. 

Addresses  |  To  Old  Men,  and  Young  Men,  and  |  Little 
Children.  |  In  Three  |  Discourses  |  I.  The  Old  Mans 
Honour ;  or,  The  Hoary  |  Head  found  in  the  way  of 
Righteousness.  |  A  Discourse  Recommending  unto  |  Old 
Men,  A  Saving  Acquaintance  with  the  |  Lord  Jesus 
Christ.  |  IT.  The  Young  Man's  Glory;  or,  A  |  Wreath 
of  Graces  for  the  Head  of  Youths.  |  A  Discourse  Recom- 
mending unto  Young  |  Men,  A  Blessed  Victory  over  the 
Devil.  |  III.  The  Little  Child's  Lesson  ;  Or,  A  Child  | 
Wise  unto  Salvation.  |  A  Discourse  instructing  and 
inviting  Little  |  Children  to  the  Exercises  of  Early  Piety. 
|  To  which  may  be  added,  A  Short  Scriptural  Cate-  | 
chisin  accomodated  unto  their  Capacities.  |  By  Cotton 
Mather.  |  Boston :  Printed  by  R.  Pierce,  for  Nicholas 
But-  |  tolph,  at  the  Corner  Shop,  next  to  Gut-  \  teridge's 
Coffee-House.  1690.  |  8°,  (2),  122  pp.  (Boston  Athe- 
iiii'iiiu  ;  Massachusetts  Historical  Society.) 

The  Scriptural  Catechism  referred  to  in  the  above  title 
is  dated  1691,  and  has  an  independent  title,  pagination 
and  register,  as  follows  : — 

1691. 

A  Scriptural   Catechism.  |  The   Heads  of  the   Christian  | 
Religion   |   Plainly,  briefly,  and  fully  delivered  in  a  | 


80 

Catechism,  |  Which  endeavours  a  sufficient  Answer  to 
every  |  Question,  barely  with  a  pertinent  Sentence  of  | 
Sacred  Scripture,  and  Enables  the  Learner  at  |  once  with 
ease  to  confirm  as  well  as  assert  the  |  great  Articles  of 
the  Faith  once  delivered  unto  |  the  Saints.  |  By  Cotton 
Mather.  |  .  .  .  |  Bo  futon,  Printed  by  R.  Pierce,  for 
Nicholas  Buttolph,  |  at  the  comer  Shop,  next  to  Gut- 
tridg's  Coffee-  \  House.  1691.  |  8°,  (2),  21  pp. 
(Boston  Athenaeum;  Massachusetts  Historical  Society.) 

The  two  titles  above  are  from  Dr.  Samuel  A.  Green's 
Early  American  Imprints  (Cambridge,  1895),  pp.  77,  86. 

1692. 

The  |  Jacobites  Catechism,  |  That  is  to  say,  |  An  Instruc- 
tion to  be  learned  of  every  Person  |  who  either  desires, 
or  expects  to  be  confirmed  by  |  the  late  Bishop  of  Ely  | 
To  which  is  Added,  |  The  |  Williamites  Catechism,  |  Or, 
|  Instructions  to  be  learned  of  all  those  who  |  are  Well- 
wishers  to  the  Protestant  Religion,  and  the  I  English 
Liberties.  |  Both  Written  by  Benjamin  Bird,  Rector  of 
Wotton  fits  |  Pain,  near  Lyme  Regis  in  the  County  of 
Dorset.  Licensed  according  to  Order.  |  London, 
Printed  for  T.  Wesly,  and  Re-printed  at  Boston,  |  for 
Benjamin  Harris,  at  the  London-Coffee-House.  |  1692. 
|  8°,  (2),  14  pp.  (American  Antiquarian  Society.) 
Title  from  Paine's  Early  American  Imprints,  p.  5.5. 

1702. 

Circs  about  the  Nurseries.  |  Two  brief  |  Discourses,  |  The 
One,  offering  |  Methods  and  Motives  for  |  Parents  |  To 
Catechise  their  Children  |  While  yet  under  the  Tuition 
of  |  their  Parents.  |  The  Other,  offering  |  Some  Instruc- 
tions tor  |  Children,  |  How  they  may  Do  Well,  when  | 
they  come  to  Years  of  Doing  for  |  Themselves.  |  Bos/an, 
jY.  E.     Printed  by  T.    Green,  \  for  Benjamin  Eliot. 


81 

1702.  |  8°,  (2),  88  pp.  ;  Sound  Words,  2*  pp.  (M:«-a- 
clnisetts  Historical  Society;  Prince  collection  in  the 
Boston  Public  Library.) 

By  Cotton  Mather,  hut  published  anonymously;  The 
second  pari  is  entitled:  "Sound  Words,  I  to  lie  held  fast, 
in  Faith  and  Love.  |  Or,  |  The  Christian  Religion,  |  Epito- 
mized and  Inculcated,  |  in  |  Three  Essaves."  The  contents 
are:  The  First  Essay,  Our  Saviours  Creed,  pp.  1-4;  The 
Second  Essay,  The  Body  of  Divinity  Versified,  pp.  4-14; 
The  Third  Essay,  An  Abridgment  of  the  famous  Catechism, 
composed  by  the  most  Reverend  and  RenoAvned  Assembly 
of  Divines  at  Westminster,  pp.  K5-2K.1 

1702. 

Maschil,  |  Or,  |  The  Faithful  Instructor.  |  Offering,  | 
Memorials  of  Christianity  |  In  Twenty-Six  |  Exercises  | 
Upon  the  |  New-English  Catechism ;  |  Wherein  |  The 
meanest  Capacities  have  the  whole  |  Body  of  Divinity, 
so  accommodated  |  unto  their  Understandings,  that  a 
bare  |  Yes,  or,  No,  makes  their  Answers,  to  |  Questions, 
upon  all  the  Points  of  it;  but  still  |  directed  and  con- 
firmed from,  The  Holy  |  Scriptures.  |  With  several  other 
K— ayes,  to  Promote  |  Knowledge  and  Practice.  |  A 
Work,  which  may  be  of  Great  Use,  to  all  |  Christians  ; 
and  especially  to  Christian  Householders.  |  With  an 
Addition,  |  (To  render  the  Work  yet  more  Universally 
Accep-  |  table  and  Serviceable,)  of  the  like  Operation  | 
upon,  The  Assemblies  Catechism.  |  Boston:  Printed  by 
B.  Green,  &  J.  Allen ,  for  Samuel  Phillips,  at  the 
Hrick-Shoj).  1702.  8°,  192  pp.  (Prince  collection 
in  the  Boston  Public  Library;   Watkinson  Library.) 

The  author  of  this  anonymous   publication  was  Cotton 
Mather,  who  speaks  of  it  in  his  diary  as  follows  : — 

"25  d  8  mo  1701      About  this  Time,  as  the  effect  of  not 
small  pains  nor  few  prayers,  I  sent  unto  the  press,  a  Work 

1  Sibley'8  Harvard  Graduates,  iii,  78,  83. 
6 


82 

which  is  contrived  many  wayes  to  serve  the  church  of  ye 
Lord  Jesua  Christ,  and  promote  good  knowledge  and 
practice  in  the  world.  I  took  y*'  New  English  (my  grand- 
father Cottons)  Catechism^  and  in  Twenty  Six  Exercises 
upon  it  (which  may  be  twice  gone  over  in  y*  52  Sabbaths 
of  a  year)  I  gave  y*  whole  Body  of  Divinity,  in  so  familiar 
A  intelligible  Questions,  that  a  bare,  Yes  or,  No,  is  ye 
whoh"  Answer  to  them  all  ;  and  yett  still  asserted  with 
pertinent  Scriptures.  Hereto  I  added  ye  Assemblies  Cate- 
c/iisni,  with  yu  like  (but  a  shorter)  operation  upon  it.  But 
I  did  also  fill  up  the  Book,  with  many  other  Essayes,  tho' 
briefer  Ones,  with  as  Exquisite  Contrivance  as  I  was  able, 
to  advance  y''  Interests  of  ye  Christian  Religion,  among  all 
sorts  of  persons.  I  intended  it  as  a  Book  of  great  use,  to 
all  Christians,  but  Especially  to  Christian  Householders. 
And  y'  Lord,  in  answer  to  my  poor  cries  unto  Him, 
inspired  my  Neighbours,  with  a  mighty  zeal  to  forward  yc 
publication  of  this  work  80  I  gave  it  unto  ye  Booksellers  ; 
entituled,  The  Faithful  Instructor.  Tis  Twelve  sheets,  in 
print."1 

The  book  contains  an  address  "To  the  Reverend,  Pastors 
of  the  Churches,'"  in  two  pages  ;  Maschil,  or,  The  Faithful 
Instructor,  pp.  3-13;  Memorials  of  Christianity,  upon  the 
Milk  for  Babes,  pp.  14-1 06  ;  Maschil,  or,  The  Faithful 
Instructor,  pp.  107-132;  The  Word  of  Truth  Divided,  in 
the  Assemblies  Catechism,  pp.  133-187;  Appendix,  The 
Ten  Commandments,  and  The  Lord's  Prayer,  in  verse,  pp. 
188,  18<> ;  A  Paraphrase  on  the  ('reed,  and  a  Profession  of 
the  Faith,  directed  by  some  Eminent  Ministers,  associated 
for  Church  Reformation,  pp.  190-192. 

1702. 

Much  in  a  Little.  |  Or,  |  Three  brief  Essayes,  |  To  sum  up 
the  whole  |  Christian  Religion,  |  For  the  more  Easy,  & 
Pleasant  |  Instruction  of  the  weakest  Capacities.  | .  I. 
The  Creeds,  delivered   both  in  I  the  Old  &  New  Testa- 


1  Bibtey'a  Harvard  Graduate,  iii.,  80,  81,  from  which  the  description  of  this  book 
u  taken. 


83 

incuts.  |  II.  A  Body  of  Divinity*,  first  Vcr-  |  sifted, 
and  then  Inculcated,  with  |  (Questions,  comprizing  the 
whole,  |  whereto  nothing  hut  Vcs,  is  to  |  he  answered. 
I  III.  An  Abridgment  of  the  As-  |  semblies  Cate- 
chism; Epitomi-  |  zing  thai  Excellent  Composure,  | 
with  no  more  than  Thirty  Two  |  Questions.  |  Boston, 
Printed  for  Benjamin  Eliot,  |  1702.  |  12°,  title  and 
1-28  pp. 

The  author  of  this  anonymous  publication  was  Cotton 
Mather.  It  was  hound  with  sonic  copies  of  Cares  about 
the  Nut series,  printed  in  the  same  year,  as  already  described, 
and  was  also  issued  separately.  The  heading  of  page  1  is 
as  follows:  "Sound  Words,  |  to  be  held  fast,  in  Faith  and 
Love.  I  Or,  |  The  Christian  Religion,  |  Epitomized  and 
Inculcated,  |  in  |  Three  Essayes."  The  contents  are  :  The 
First  Essay,  Our  Saviours  Creed,  pp.  1-4  ;  The  Second 
Essay,  The  Body  of  Divinity  Versified,  pp.  4-8  :  Questions 
on  the  same,  pp.  8-16;  The  Third  Essay,  An  Abridgment 
of  the  famous  Catechism,  Composed  by  the  most  Reverend 
and  Renowned  Assembly  of  Divines  at  Westminster,  pp. 
16-28.     The  catechism  begins  : — 

"Q.     AVhat  is  the  Chief  End  of  Man? 
A.     The  chief  End  of  Man,  is  to  Glorify  God,  &  Enjoy 
Him  forever. 

Q.     What  is  God? 

A.  God,  whO  is  but  One  God,  in  three  Persons,  the 
Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Spirit,  is  an  Infinite  Being,  A 
Eternal  in  Power,  Wisdom,  .Justice,  Goodness,  and  Holi- 
ness. 

Q.     What  are  the  Works  of  God? 

A.  God,  who  in  His  Eternal  purpose  hath  fore-ordained 
whatsoever  comes  to  pass,  made  all  things  of  nothing,  & 
all  very  Good,  in  his  works  of  Creation,  and  Preserves  and 
Governs  all  in  His  works  of  Providence." 

1707. 

Frontiers  Well-Defended.  |  An  |  Essay,  |  To  Direct  the  | 
Frontiers  |  of  a  |  Countrev  Exposed  unto  the   Incur-  | 


84 

sions  of  a  Barbarous  Enemy,  |  How  to  behave  themselves 
in  their  |  Uneasy  Station?  |  Containing  Admonitions  of 
Piety,  |  Proposal  by  the  Compassion  of  |  some  Friends 
unto  their  Welfare,  |  to  be  Lodg'd  in  the  Families  of  | 
our  Frontier  Plantations.  |  Boston,  in  iV.  E.  Printed 
by  T.  Green.  |  1707.  |  12°,  ;v2  pp.  ;  The  Fall  of  Baby- 
lon, (2),  20  pp.      (American  Antiquarian  Society.) 

The  publication  is  anonymous,  but  the  author  was  Cotton 
Mather.  The  appended  "Fall  of  Babylon"  is  a  catechism, 
with  a  preface  of  two  pages  headed,  "The  Protestant 
Armed  from  the  Tower  of  David."  The  catechism  begins 
with  the  following  questions  and  answers  : — 

"Quest.  Is  the  Sacred  Scripture  a  Sufficient  Rule  both 
for  what  we  are  to  Believe,  and  what  we  are  to  Practice, 
in  the  matters  of  Religion  ? 

Answ.  The  Rule  given  us,  by  the  Spirit  of  God  Speak- 
ing in  the  Scripture,  is  a  Rule  of  such  sufficiency  and  per- 
fection, that  we  are  to  Believe  &  Practice  nothing  in  the 
matters  of  Salvation,  but  what  is  therein  Revealed  unto  us  : 
It  is  a  vile  Reproach  upon  those  Holy  Oracles,  to  imagine 
otherwise.    *   *   * 

Q.  Is  there  any  Need  of  any  Traditions,  to  make  up 
the  want  of  any  Directions  for  us  in  the  Sacred  Scripture? 

A.  The  Additions  of  our  Traditions  to  Direct  us  in  the 
Service  of  God,  beyond  the  Directions  of  the  Scripture, 
arc  Needless,  Useless,  and  Sinful.  The  Faithful  care  of 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  over  His  Church,  is  Reproached  in 
such  Traditions."     . 

1708. 

The  Man  of  God  Furnished.  |  The  |  Way  of  Truth,  |  Laid 
out:  with  a  Threefold  |  Catechism,  |  I.  The  famous 
Catechism,  Kntituled,  Milk  |  for  Babes,  rendred  now  a 
little  more  |  Easy  c\c  Proper  for  Children  of  the  Smallest 
|  Capacity.  |  II.  An  Abridgment  of  the  Assem-  |  blies 
Catechism;  Epitomizing  that  L\\-  |  cellent  Composure 
of  One  Hundred  &  Seven,  |  with  no  more  than  Thirty 


85 

Two  Questions.  |  III.  Supplies  from  tin-  Tower  of 
DVAI1).  |  Or,  A  Catechism,  which  arms  Christians  of 
all  |  Ages,  to  refute  the  Errors,  which  most  |  common lv 
assault  the  cause  of  Christianity.  |  To  which  arc  Added  ; 
Several  other  In-  |  struments  of  Piety ;  To  Serve  the  | 
great  Interests  of  Religion,  which  lv  near  |  to  the  Hearts 
of  all  Faithful  Ministers  |  and  all  Godly  Housholders. 
|  Offered  unto  the  Publick  Service,  by  several  |  Minis- 
ters of  the  Gospel  in  the  |  Churches  of  New-England.  | 
III  Joh.  4.  I  have  no  greater  Joy,  than  to  |  hear  that  my 
Children  walk  in  Truth.  |  Boston:  Printed  by  B.  Green, 
for  Samuel  \  Phillips  at  the  Brick  Shop.  1708.  |  12°, 
(2),  140,  (2)  pp.  A-F  in  twelves.  (Livermore  col- 
lection.) 

Cotton  Mather  was  the  author  of  this  anonymous  publica- 
tion, which  he  mentions  in  his  diary  as  follows  : — 

"The  Apostasy  of  some  few  of  or  people  to  popery  in 
Canada,  awakened  my  concern,  to  have  or  people  better 
fortified,  not  onely  against  ye  wiles  of  popery,  but  also 
against  ye  Snares  of  all  other  Errors,  whereby  they  may 
be  endangered.  Wherefore,  having  fitted,  both  y6  New 
English  Catechism,  and  the  Assemblies  Catechism,  to  he 
more  easily  conquered  by  or  children,  1  accompanied  these 
composures,  with  Supplies  from  the  Tower  of  David ;  or, 
A  Catechism,  which  arms  Christians  of  all  Ages  to  refute 
ye  Errors,  which  most  commonly  assault  //'  Cause  of 
Christianity,  and  to  preserve  the  Faith  once  delivered  unto 
ye  Saints:  In  Seven  Essayes,  (namely,  Against  popery, 
and  Quakerism,  and  Socinianism,  and  Pelagtantsm,  and 
Antinomianism,  and  Anabaptism,  and.  Aiifi  Sabbatarian- 
ism.) Each  of  ye  Answers,  which  have  in  them  y*  marrow 
&  Substance  of  all  ye  volumes  written  on  Controversial 
Divinity,  concludes  with  a  pertinent  Scripture,  which  alone 
may  serve  to  Answer  and  to  Defend  y*  Question.  And  all 
ye  Essayes  End  with  Desires  relating  to  y*  Truths  which 
had  been  defended;  such  Desires,  as,  if  y'  Hearts  of  men 
come  to  be  enflamed  with  them,  they  will  never  part  w11' 
y*  Truths,  which  have  made  such  Impressions  upon  y"'. 
In  this  Book,  there  are  Several  other  indHmtefffe  >>/  Piety ; 


86 

The  whole  is  Entituled,  The  Man  of  God  furnished.  My 
Design  is,  to  have  it  published  with  the  countenance  of 
The  ministers  of  Boston  and  Salem;  And  Addressed  unto 
both  Ministers  and  Householders  in  all  parts  of  y*  ( Jountrey. 
It  is  to  me,  a  child  of  many  prayers  ;  and  T  am  waiting  to 
see,  how  far  yfl  Lord  will  prosper  it."1 

Prefixed  to  the  volume  is  "An  Address  to,  (them  that 
should  be)  The  Instructors  of  the  Ignorant,"  filling  pp.  1- 
17,  in  which  the  writer's  ideas  on  catechising  are  set  forth 
at  length.  The  whole  address  has  been  reprinted  in  Mr. 
Ford's  book  on  The  New-England  Primer,  pp.  263—273. 
Next  comes  "An  Advertisement;  Concerning  the  Two 
Shortned  Catechisms,"  pp.  18,  19,  as  follows: — 

"  Be  assured.  Reader,  the  only  Reason,  why  it  has  been 
thought  Advisable,  a  little  to  Shorten  those  passages  in, 
The  Milk  fob  Babes,  which  refer  to  the  Different  Ministry 
of  the  Law  and  of  the  Gospel,  and  to  the,  Constitution  of 
the  particular  Church-State,  is  this.  AVe  do  by  long  expe- 
rience find,  that  those  Questions  have  proved  a  great 
Encumbrance  to  our  Babes,  in  their  learning  of  the  Cate- 
chism :  And  the  Excellent  Author  himself  had  not  been  so 
large  upon  them,  if  he  had  not  had  an  Eye,  to  certain 
Special  Exercises  upon  the  minds  of  the  faithful  at  that 
TIME,  in  the  land.  The  Present  Time,  it  may  be,  does  not 
call  for  so  Large  a  Proportion  of  those  Questions,  in  such 
a  very  brief  System  of  tin1  Christian  Religion,  which  our 
Babes  are  to  be  fed  withal.  And  yet  that  we  may  pay  all 
possible  Deference  to  that  incomparable  Catechism,  there 
is  care  taken,  summarily  to  give  under  Two  Questions;  all 
that  was  given  under  Nine  before  :  Not  one  dot  or  Tittle  of 
the  Doctrine,  or  one  drop  of  the  Milk,  is  really  taken  a  way. 

That  Golden  Composure,  THE  ASSEMBLIES  CATECHISM, 
(no  more  than  any  other  Humane  composure,)  suffers  no 
Disparagement,  by  being  supposed  capable  of  an  Abridg- 
ment. Examine  it.  Reader  whether  what  was  contained  in 
One  Hundred  "and  Seven  Qu[e]stions,  be  now  really  con- 
tracted and  contrived  into  Thirty  Two.  If  it  be  so,  the 
Littleness  of  the  Task,  in  getting  it  by  heart,  must  uwA* 
be  no  Little   Encouragement    unto   weaker  Capacities,  to 

'Sibley's  Harvanl  Graduates,  iii,  1(K). 


87 

undertake  it.  And  if  our  pious  Housholders  purpose  to 
lodge  the  rest  which  our  Wat  or  Thuth  has  here  prepared 
for  them,  <)!■,  at  least,  the  Scriptural  part  of  it,  in  the 

Memories  of  their  Children  and  Servants,  they  will  not 
wonder  at  it,  that  we  make  the  First  Burdens  that  we  lay 
upon  them,  as  easy  as  ever  we  can." 

The  catechism,  "Milk  for  Babes,  a  Little  Shorten'd,  and 
Suited,  for  the  Lowest  Capacities,"  fills  pp.  20-30;  The 
most  Ancient  Creed,  etc.,  pp.  31,  32  ;  A  very  Short  Cate- 
chism ;  To  Begin  with  Negro's,  and  others  like  them,  of 
the  Dullest  and  Lowest  Capacity,  p.  32  ;  An  Abridgment, 
of  the  Renowned  Assemblies  Catechism,  pp.  33-42  ;  Pro- 
posals and  Additionals,  pp.  42-44 ;  The  Lords  Prayer, 
according  to  the  Paraphrase  in  the  Assemblies  Catechism, 
pp.  45,  46.     Then  comes  a  second  title-page  : — 

Supplies    from    the   Tower   of  |  David.  |  A  |  Catechism  | 
Which  Arms  |  Christians  of  all  Ages,  to  Refute  the  | 
Errors    which   most   commonly    |    assault   the    cause  of 
Christianity.   |  And   |  To  Preserve  the  Faith  once  de- 
livered |  unto   the   Saints.  |  In   Seven    Essays.  |  .   .    .  | 
Boston:  Printed  for  8.  Phillips.     1708.  |  8°,  47-140 
pp.,  appended  to  "The  Man  of  God  Furnished." 

The  above  title  is  on  page  47,  on  the  verso  of  which  is 
"An  Introduction,  Directing,  How  to  manage  the  Armour 
of  Christianity  here  Provided  for  the  Churches  of  God,?' 
pp.  48-53,  from  which  the  following  extracts  are  taken  : — 

"In  these  Essay's  the  Substance  &  Marrow  of  what  has 
fitPd  many  Yolumns  of  Controversal  Divinity,  is  with  all 
possible  Brevity  Digested,  and  comprized  into  a  very  tew 
Pages:  The  Questions  do  not  amount  unto  the  Number  of 
those  in  the  Excellent  Assemblies  Catechism,  which  yet 
our  Children  have  comconly  [/.  e.,  commonly]  mastered. 
And  the  People  of  God  have  a  Little  Manual,  that  will  not 
be  a  Burdensom  and  Unwieldy  Armour:  but,  an,  Enchiri- 
dion militis  (hristiani,  Such  a-  every  Christian  Souldier 
may  easily  carry  it. 


88 

The  Work  is  contrived  in  such  a,  manner,  that  every 
Answer  Ends  with  a  Scripture,  which  alone  would  be  a 
full  and  fair  Answer  to  the  Question,  The  Force  of  an, 
It  is  Written,  to  defeat  the  Wiles  of  Satan,  has  been 
admirably  Exemplified,  when  our  Saviour  took  that  way  to 
answer  the  Tempter.  And  if  the  Younger  Children,  at 
their  first  going  over  this  Catechism  should  be  Set  only  to 
Learn  the  Scripture,  this  may  be  sufficient. 

But  then,  it  will  be  Good,  that  the  Teacher,  do  both 
show  the  Learner  where  the  Force  of  the  Quoted  Scripture 
Lies,  and  also  Read-  over  to  him  the  whole  Answer,  with 
such  a  Paraphrase  as  to  make  him  sensible  of  the  matter. 
The  very  Character,  shall   by  a  Difference   of  the  Letter 

show  where  the  Main  Stress  of  the  matter  lies. 

» 

But  by  all  means,  Let  the  Instructors  always  Labour  to 
<;et  the  Truth  into  the  Understandings  as  well  as  into  the 
Memories  of  the  Little  Folks,  that  are  under  their  Instruc- 
tions. Let  them  form  therefore  many  Lesser  Questions, 
out  of  the  Answers  here  Set  before  them  ;  Such  Questions, 
as  will  oblige  them,  with  a,  Yes,  or,  Xo,  or  a  Pertinent 
Word  or  two,  to  discover,  whether  they  Understand  the 
Thing  discoursed  on. 

****** 

O  Lovers  of  Souls  :  Arise  and  be  doing.  Set  upon 
thi>  Lovely  Exercise.  Make  the  Experiment,  whether  it 
prove  not  incomparably  Useful,  inexpressibly  Pleasant. 
Go  to  Work  ;    And  God  prosper  you." 

The  "Supplies  from  the  Tower  of  David"  consists  of  seven 
catechisms,  with  the  following  headings:  Armour  against 
the  Wiles  of  Popery,  Essay  L,  The  Fall  of  Babylon,  pp. 
">4—71  ;  Armour  against  the  Wiles  of  Quakerism,  Essay 
II.,  The  True  Child  of  Light,  pp.  72-JS3  ;  Armour  against 
the  Wiles  of  Socinianisni,  Essay  III.,  Divine  Revelation 
Victorious  over  carnal  Reason,  pp.  84-92  :  Armour  against 
the  Wiles  <>f  IVIagianism,  Essay  IV.,  Free-Grace  in  Tri- 
umph, pp.  \):)-U)2  ;  Armour  against  the  Wiles  of  Antino- 
niianism.  Essay  V.,  The  Justified  Believer,  pp.  103-114; 
Armour  against    the   Mistakes   of   Anabaptism,  Kssay  VI., 


89 

Infants  admitted  into  the  Kingdom,  pp.  115—123;  and 
Armour  against  the  Works  of  the  Sabbatarians,  Bssaj  VII., 
The  Delightful  Sabbath,  of  the  Holy  One  of  the  Lord,  pp. 

124-127.  At  the  cud  are  Proposals,  To  Parents  of  the 
Better  Sort,  Relating  to  the  Education  of  Children,  pp. 
12S-140.  The  last  leaf  (unpaged)  contains  The  Body  of 
Divinity  Versifved. 

1709. 

The  Sum  of  the  Matter:  Abridgment  of  the  Assemblies 
Catechism.     Boston,  1709.     8°. 

Anonymous,  but  by  Cotton  Mather.  The  title  is  men- 
tioned in  Thomas  Princes  manuscript  catalogue,  from 
which  source  it  was  copied  by  Mr.  Sibley.1 

1711. 

An  Explicatory  Catechism ;  or,  an  K#tplanation  of  the 
Assemblies  Shorter  Catechism.  Wherein  all  the  Answers 
in  the  Assemblies  Catechism  are  taken  abroad  in  Under 
Questions  and  Answers,  .  .  .  By  Thomas  Vincent, 
sometime  Minister  of  Maudline  Milk  Street  in  London. 
Boston,  reprinted  by  John  Allen,  1711.  8°,  (8),  326 
pp. 

The  author  of  this  catechism  died  in  11571.  The  earliest 
edition  I  have  seen  was  printed  at  London  in  1673.* 
There  is  another  edition,  London,  1 70S ;  and  it  ff&a 
reprinted  again  at  Boston  in  1729. 


1  Harvard  Graduates,  iii.,  101. 

2  An  |  Explicatory  Catechism,  |  or,  an  |  Explanation  |  of  the  |  Assemblies  |  Shorter 
Catechism.  |  Wherein  all  the  Answers  in  the  Assemblies  |  Catechism  are  taken 
abroad  in  under-Questions  |  and  Answers,  the  truths  explained,  and  proved  |  by 
Reason  and  Scripture;  several  cases  of  (on-  |  science  resolved;  some  chief  Contro- 
versies in  |  Religion  stated,  with  Arguments  against  divers  j  Krrors;  I'seful  to  be 
read  in  private  Families  af-  |  ter  Examination  in  tbe  Catechism  itself;  for  |  the 
more  and  clear  and  through  understanding  of  |  What  is  therein  Learned.  I  By 
Thomas  Vincent,  sometime  Minister  of  Maud-  |  line  Milk  street  in  LOgdOB.  I  /.<>«- 

don,  Printed/or  George  Calvert,  at  the  Golden  \  Batt  fa  Duek-lane,  Thoma*  Pack- 
hurst,  nl  tin-  Hi-  |  hit-  mill  thin    Cronus  hi  ChOUpeide,  Sum, ill  |  S/iiiiit.  nl  tin    ll<  II 

in  Little  Britain,  tmd\  n.  Newman.    1W3.  |  8°,  (4),  355  pp.    (Union  Theological 
Seminary. ) 


90 

1718. 

The  A,  B,  C,  of  Religion.  Lessons  relating  to  the  Fear 
of  God,  Fitted  unto  the  Foungest  tVc  Lowest  Capacities, 
and  Children  suitably  instructed  in  the  Maxims  of  Relig- 
ion. Boston:  Printed  by  Timothy  Green,  1713.  12°, 
(2),  42  pp. 

Cotton  Mather  is  the  author  of  this  anonymous  catechism. 
At  the  end  are  "Instructions  for  Children,  in  Verse,"  pp. 
37-42,  ending  with  "The  Body  of  Divinity  Versified." 
Mr.  Brinley's  copy  was  bought  by  Mr.  C.  Fiske  Harris  of 
Providence,  but  the  title  does  not  appear  in  Stockbridge's 
Catalogue  of  the  Harris  Collection  of  American  Poetry, 
Providence,  1886. 

1714. 

An  Help  |  to  get  |  Knowledge:  |  or,  |  An  Essay,  familiarly 
to  Explain  the  |  Assemblies  Catechism,  |  to  the  |  Capaci- 
ty of  the  Weakest  Learners  ;  |  And  |  To  Prove  the 
Truths  therein  contained,  |  by  plain  Scripture.  |  By 
Benjamin  Wadsworth  A.  M.  |  Pastor  of  a  Church  of 
Christ  in  Boston,  X.  E.  |  Psal.  34.  11.  Come  ye  Chil- 
dren, hearken  unto  me  :  I  will  |  teach  you  the  Fear  of 
the  Lord.  |  2  Tim.  3.  15.  From  a  Child  thou  hast 
Known  the  Holy  |  Scriptures,  which  are  able  to  make 
thee  Wise  unto  Salvation  ;  |  through  Faith  which  is  in 
Christ  JeSUS.  |  Prov.  22.  (I.  Train  up  a  Child  in  the 
Way  he  should  go.  |  Boston  in  N~.  E.  |  Printed  by  B. 
(ireen,  for  Nicholas  Bnttolph,  |  at  his  Shop  in  Com 
Hill.  1714.  |  K°,  ix,  (1),  17(5  pp.  (American  Anti- 
quarian Society. ) 

Mr.  Wadsworth  was  minister  of  the  First  Church  in 
Boston  from  1696  to  the  time  of  his  election  to  the  presi- 
dency of  Harvard  College  in  172").  He  died  March  16, 
1 7.17,  aged  67  years.     The  first  few  questions  and  answers 

of  the  catechism  are  : — 


91 

"Quest.     Wbal  is  the  Chief  End  of  Man? 

Answ.  Man's  Chief  End  is  to  glorifie  God,  and  to 
Enjoy  Him  for  Ever. 

Q.     What's  here  meant  by  Man  ? 

A.     Man,  here  signifies,  Every  Man,  or  All  Mankind. 

Q.      What's  here  meant  by  Mans  Chief  End? 

A.  Mans  Chief  End  means,  that  which  he  should 
desire,  design,  aim  at,  endeavour  after,  Chiefly,  and  above 
all  other  things  whatsoever." 

1721. 

The  Way  of  Truth  laid  out.  |  A  |  Catechism  |  which,  as 
with  |  Supplies  from  the  Tower  of  David,  |  Anns 
Christians  of  all  Ages,  to  |  refute  the  Errors  which  most 
commonly  assault  the  Cause  of  Christianity  :  and  To  Pre- 
serve the  Faith  once  delivered  unto  the  Saints.  In 
Seven  Essays.  The  Second  Edition.  lioston;  Re- 
printed by  S.  Kneeland  for  D.  Henchman  at  his  Shop 
in  Corn-Hill.      1721.      12°,  8,  95,  (2)  pp. 

Published  anonymously,  but  by  Cotton  Mather.  The 
first  edition  was  printed  in  170S,  as  pp.  47-140  of  "The 
Man  of  God  furnished  with  Supplies  from  the  Tower  of 
David,"  which  see  for  a  description  of  contents.  It  begins 
with  "The  Fall  of  Babylon,"  and  ends  with  "The  Body  of 
Divinity  Versified,"  and  "An  Addition,"  on  pp.  91-9."),  of 
"A  Short  Catechism  for  the  Conscience,  on  the  Condition 
of  Ongospellized  Plantations."  Mr.  Brinley's  copy  was 
bought  by  Mr.  C.  Fiske  Harris  of  Providence,  but  the  title 
is  not  found  in  Stockbridge's  Catalogue  of  tin-  Harris  Col- 
lection of  American  Poetr;/. 

1721'). 

A  Compleat  |  Body  of  Divinity  |  in  |  Two  Hundred  and 
Fifty  Expository  Lectures  |  on  the  |  Assembly's 
Shorter  Catechism  |  Wherein  |  The  Doctrines  of  the 
Christian  Religion  are  unfolded,  I  their  Truth  confinn'd, 
their   Excellence  display 'd,  their  Usefulness  |  hnprov'd  ; 


92 

contrary  Errors  &  Vices  refuted  &  expos'd,  Objections 
|  answer'd,  Controversies  settled,  Cases  of  Conscience 
resolv'd;  and  a  |  great  Light  thereby  reflected  on  the 
present  Aire.  |  By  the  Reverend  &  Learned  |  Samuel 
Willard,  M.  A.  |  Late  Pastor  of  the  South  Church  in 
Boston,  and  Vice-President  of  |  Harvard  College  in 
Cambridge,  in  New-England.  |  Prefac'd  by  the  Pastors  of 
the  same  Church.  |  .  .  .  |  Boston  in  New- England :  | 
Printed  by  B.  Green  and  S.  Kneelandfor  B.  Eliot  and 
I  D.  Henchman,  and  Sold  at  their  Shops.  |  mixcxxvi. 
F°,  (2),  iv,  3,  (8),  914,  (1)  pp.  Portrait.  (Ameri- 
can Antiquarian  Society;  Lenox  collection.) 

1729. 

An  |  Explicatory  Catechism  :  |  or,  an  |  Explanation  |  of 
the  |  Assemblies  |  Shorter  Catechism.  |  Wherein  all  the 
Answers  in  the  |  Assemblies  Catechism  are  taken  abroad 
in  |  Under  Questions  and  Answers,  the  Truth  |  explain  <1, 
and  proved  bv  Reason  and  Scrip-  |  ture  ;  several  (uses 
of  Conscience  resolv'd,  |  some  chief  Controversies  in 
Religion  stated,  |  with  Arguments  against  divers  Errors. 
|  Useful  to  be  read  in  private  Families,  after  |  Examina- 
tion in  the  Catechism  it  self,  for  |  the  more  clear  and 
thorough  under-  |  standing  of  what  is  therein  Learn'd,  | 
By  Thomas  Vincent,  some  times  |  Minister  of  Maudlin 
Milk-street  in  London.  |  Boston  in  New-England:  | 
Printed  for  D.  Henchman,  over  against  the   |   Brick- 

Mcrl ','„,/  /louse  in  ( lornli  ill ,  John  |  Phillips,  nl  tin' 
Stationers- Arms,  and  |  T.  Hancock,  at  the  Bible  and 
Three  Orotans  \  near  the  Town-Dock.  1729.  |  8°,  (2), 
viii,  ;')1")  pp.      (Lenox  collection.) 

1739. 

A  Shorter  Catechism;   proper  to   learn  before  that  of  the 
Assembly.     Boston,  1739.     Title  from  Haven's  list. 


93 

174:.. 

A  Short  |  Catechism,  |  Wherein  the  |  Principles  |  of  the  | 
Christian  Religion  |  Are  taught  in  the  Words  of  the 
sacred  |  Scriptures  themselves.  |  By  Benjamin  Stinton. 
|  Minister  of  the  Gospel  in  London.  |  The  Fourth 
Kdition.  |  .  .  .  |  London:  Printed.  |  Boston:  Re- 
printed in  the  Year  1745.  |  8°,  1(5  pp.  (American 
Antiquarian  Society. ) 

The  author,  Benjamin  Stinton,  was  a  Baptist  minister  in 
London,  who  died  in  1718.  I  have  not  seen  the  first 
edition  of  his  catechism,  but  the  second  edition  was  printed 
at  London  in  1730, J  and  contains  a  preface  (pp.  3,  4), 
signed  Benj.  Stinton,  which  was  omitted  in  the  Boston 
reprints  of  1745  and  1766.  There  are  sixty-four  questions 
and  answers,  beginning  with  : — 

"Quest.  1.     How  came  this  World  into  Being?" 

1745. 

Catechisms  and  Prayers.  Or  some  Helps  to  Religion. 
By  Isaac  Watts.  Ninth  edition.  Boston,  1745.  12°. 
Title  from  Haven's  list. 

First  printed  at  London  in  1730. 

1745. 

A  Preservative  from  the  Sins  and  Follies  of  Childhood  and 
Youth.  By  Way  of  Question  and  Answer.  By  Isaac 
Watts.      Boston,  1745.      12°.      Title  from  Haven's  list. 

First  printed  at  London  about  the  year  17.">4. 

iA  Short  I  Catechism,  |  Wherein  the  |  Principles  |  of  the  |  Christian  Religion  | 
Are  Taught  in  the  Words  of  the  |  Sacred  Scriptures  themselves.  |  .  .  .  |  The  Second 
Edition.  |  London:  |  Printed/or  Richard  Font,  at  the  Ai».i<t  i  '»  the  v«»u><<i.  miar 
"Stocks-Market.  1730.  J  [Price  Three  P«nfes.]  |  ISP,  38, (1)  pp.  (American  Antiqua- 
rian Society.)  In  this  copy  Question  04  and  its  answer  end  on  page  18,  with  the 
catchword  "  The,"  and  pages  19-2.2  are  lacking. 


94 
4 

1747. 

Catechisms  and  Prayers.  Or  sonic  Helps  to  Religion. 
Bv  I  s.iac  Watte.  London  printed,  Boston  reprinted, 
1747.      12°.     Title  from  Haven's  list, 

1748. 

The  First  Set  of  Catechisms  and  Prayers.  By  Isaac  Watts. 
Boston  reprinted,  1748.      12°.     Title  from  Haven's  list. 

1748. 

The  Second  Set  of  Catechisms  and  Prayers.  By  Isaac 
Watts.  Boston  reprinted,  1748.  12°.  Title  from  Haven's 
list. 

[1750?] 

A  |  Scripture-Catechism ;  |  Or,  the  |  Principles  |  of  the  | 
Christian  Religion,  |  Laid  down  in  the  |  Words  of  the 
Bible.  |  [Boston?     1750?]     8°,  (2),  32  pp.      (Ameri- 
can Antiquarian  Society.) 

The  title  is  printed  between  an  upper  and  lower  line  of 
harps,  blank  on  verso,  and  is  followed  by  a  preface  of  two 
pages,  unsigned.     The  catechism  begins  : — 

"Quest.  What  are  the  first  principles  of  religion,  both 
natural  and  revealed  ?  " 

1753. 

The  First  Set  ot  Catechisms  and  Prayers  ;  or,  The  Religion 
oi  Little  Children.  By  Isaac  Watts.  The  Eleventh 
Edition.  Boston,  1753.  8°,  16  pp.  (Massachusetts 
Historical  Society.) 

1755. 

A  Preservative  from  the  Sins  and  Follies  of  Childhood  and 
Youth.  Written  by  Way  of  Question  and  Answer.  To 
which  arc  added  some  Religious  and  Moral  Instructions 


95 

in  Verse.     Bv  I.  Watts.     Boston  reprinted ',  17").r).     12°. 
Title  from  Haven's  list. 

1765. 

A    |    Preservative    |    from     the    |    Sins    |    and     Follies    |    of 

|  Childhood  and  Youth,  |  Written  l>v  Way  of  Question 
&  Answer.  |  To  which  are  added,  |  Some  Religious  and 
Moral  |  Instructions,  |  In  verse.  |  By  I.  Watts,  D.I).  | 
The  Fourth  Edition.  |  Boston:  \  Printed  mid  Sold  by 
Z.  Fowle  at  his  Printtng-  \  Office,  in  Back-Street. 
m  dcc  lxv.  |  12°,  4iS  pp.  (American  Antiquarian  So- 
ciety; British  Museum.)  In  some  copies  the  date  is 
printed  modclxv. 

17(><5. 

A  j  Short  Catechism:  |  wherein  |  The  Chief  Principles  of 
|  Religion  |  Are  taught  in  the  Words  of  |  The  Sacred 
Scriptures  themselves.  |  Boston:  \  Re-printed  and  Sold 
by  T.  and  J.  Fleet,  at  \  the  Heart  and  Crown  in  Corn- 
hill,  17(5(5.  |  X°,  K)  pp.  (American  Antiquarian  So- 
ciety.) 

This  is  an  anonymous  reprint  of  Benjamin  Stanton's 
catechism,  containing  sixty-four  questions  and  answers, 
for  an  account  of  which,  see  under  the  year  1745. 

1770. 

The  First  Set  |  of  |  Catechisms  |  and  |  Prayers:  |  or,  the 
|  Religion  |  of  |  Little  Children  |  Under  Seven  or  Eight 
Years  of  Age.  j  Collected  out  of  the  larger  Books  of 
Prayers  and  |  Catechisms  for  Childhood  and  Youth.  | 
By  I.  Watts,  D.I).  |  The  Eighth  Edition.  |  Boston  : 
Printed  and  Sold  by  Kneel  and  and  |  Adams,  in  Milk- 
Street.  1770.  |  8°,  14+  pp.,  the  last  leaf  wanting. 
(American  Antiquarian  Society.) 

The  first  few  questions  and  answers  are  : — 


96 

"Question.     Can  you  tell  me  Child,  who  made  you? 

An^W&r,      The  great   God,  who  made  Heaven  and  Earth. 

Q.      What  doth  God  do  for  you? 

A.  He  Keeps  me  from  Harm  by  Night  and  by  Day, 
and  is  always  doing  me  Good. 

Q.  And  what  must  you  do  for  this  great  God  who  is  so 
good  to  you? 

A.  I  must  learn  to  know  him  first,  and  then  I  must  do 
every  thing  to  please  him." 

1773. 

The  |  First  Set  of  |  Catechisms  and    Prayers  :  |  or,   the  | 
Religion  |  of  |  Little  Children,  |  under   Seven  or  Bight 
Years  of   Age.  |  Collected  out  of   the   larger  Books  of 
Prayers  and  Cate-  |  chisms  for  Childhood  and  Youth.  | 
By  I.    Watts,    D.D.  |  The   Twelfth    Edition.  |  Boston: 
|  Printed    by   John   Boyle    in    Marlborough- Street,  | 
Mocclxxiii.    |    12°,    15    pp.       (American    Antiquarian 


Society.) 


1782. 


Some  |  Deductions  |  from  the  |  System  |  Promulgated  in 
the  |  Page  of  Divine  Revelation  :  |  Ranged  in  the  Order 
and  Form  |  of  a  Catechism  :  |  intended  as  an  |  Assistant 
|  to  the  J  Christian  Parent  or  Teacher.  |  .  .  .  | 
Portsmouth,  New-Hampshire:  \  Printed  in  the  Year 
M,dcc,t.xxxii.  |  8°,  82  pp.  (Americas  Antiquarian 
Society.) 

The  scholar  asks  the  questions  and  the  teacher  answers  : — 

"Question.  I  wish  my  Preceptor  would  inform  me  to 
what  purpose  I  came  into  this  world? 

Answer.  Your  heavenly  Father,  my  child,  certainly 
placed  you  here  for  his  glory  and  your  own  good. 

Q.  Will  my  revered  friend  tell  me  how  I  am  to  be 
assured  of  this  matter? 

A.  Read,  my  child,  those  pages  which  we  have  every 
reason  t<>  believe  dictated  hy  the  divine  Author  of  veracity, 
and  you  will  there  find  that  God  is  said  to  be  the  parent  of 


97 

our  spirits;  in  those  writings  too,  he  is  cloathed  with  that 
authority  which  constitutes  the  very  essence  of  Godhead. 
From  whence  we  rationally  conclude,  that  his  paternal  char- 
acter will  lead  him  to  consult  the  good  of  his  family,  while 
his  omnipotence  will  enable  him  to  pursue  every  step 
which  his  sacred  wisdom  plans. 

Q.  But  what  idea  (give  me  leave  to  ask)  ought  I  to 
form  of  a  Being  whom  1  have  never  seen? 

A.  The  Deity  is  invisible,  incomprehensible ;  it  is  im- 
possible, my  dear,  for  a  finite  being  to  form  an  idea  of 
infinite  perfection." 

17.S7. 

The  |  Master  and  Scholar  |  Attending  Catechising:  |  or  | 
an   attempt   to  imitate  |  Timothy's    Catechism:  |  who  | 
From  a  Child  knew  the  Holy  Scriptures,  |  that  were  able 
to  make  him  Wise  to  Sal-  |  vation,  through   the   Faith 
which  is  in  |  Christ  Jesus.  |  2d.  Tim.  iii.  l.">.  |  Being  an 
attention    to    two    Questions    arising    from    what    |    the 
Scriptures  principally  Teach,   viz.  |  1st.     What  is  Man 
to  believe  concern-  |  ing  God?  |  2d.      What   doth  Cod 
require  of  Man?  |  Introduced  by  the  first  four  Questions 
and  Answers  |  of  the   Asseinlffies  Catechism.  |  Boston: 
|  Printed  by  B.  Edes  and  Son,  |  JVb.  42,   Comhill .  \ 
mik'ciawvii.    |   8°,    16    pp.      (American     Antiquarian 
Society. ) 

The  Master  begins  :    "What  is  the  chief  end  of  man?" 

1788. 

The  First  Catechism  of  the  Principles  of  Religion:    .  .  . 

To    which    is    added,    the    Second    Catechism   ...    By 
Isaac  Watts.     Norwich,  1788.    8°.     (British  Museum. J 

1701. 

Scripture  Truths  and   Precepts.  |  A  |  Short   Catechism,  | 
with  |  Proofs.  |  Designed  for  the  Assistance  of  such  Per- 
sons as  wish  |  to  search  the  Scriptures  for  a  consistent 

7 


98 

View  |  of  the  |  Doctrines  and  Duties  contained  in  them. 
|  With  |  An  Appendix,  |  concerning  |  Baptism.  |  And 
|  A  concluding  Remark  |  on  the  Lord's-Supper.  |  When 
it  shall  turn  to  the  Lord,  the  Vail  shall  be  taken  away, 
which  is  done  |  away  in  Christ.  Paul  to  the  Corin- 
thians. |  Boston:  \  Printed  and  sold  by  Samuel  Hall, 
No.  53,  Cornhill.  |  mdccxci.  (Price  9d.)  |  8°,  23 
pp.      (American  Antiquarian  Society.) 

The  anonymous  introduction  states  that,  "Having  been 
requested,  by  some  worthy  friends,  to  endeavour  to  put 
into  their  hands,  something  in  this  way,  as  an  assistant  in 
instructing  their  children,  I  have  thought,  that  as  the 
Assembly's  shorter  Catechism  had  been  made  familiar  by 
use,  and  contained  many  excellent  things,  it  might  comport 
with  the  request  of  my  friends,  to  endeavour  a  more  plain, 
scriptural  answer  to  some  parts  of  it;  and  to  present  it  in 
every  answer  agreeable  to  the  scriptures  of  truth,  an 
acquaintance  .with  which,  is  a  principal  end  we  ought  to 
have  in  view  in  the  instruction  of  children  and  youth," 
etc.     The  Catechism  begins  : — 

"  Question.     What  is  the  chief  end  of  man  ?  " 

1792. 

Dr.  Watts'  Catechisms  for  Children,  with  the  Westminster 
Catechism  .  .  .  Exeter,  1792.  12°.  A  copy  was  in 
the  Brinley  Collection,  No.  5874. 

1795. 

A  Catechism  containing  the  First  Principles  of  our  Re- 
ligious and  Social  Duties;  by  Anninius  Calvinus. 
Boston:  Printed  by  Samuel  Hall,  1795.  12°.  (Wat- 
kinson  Library. 

1795. 

The    |    Baptist   (  latechism  ;    |   or,  a  |  Brief    Instruction  |  in 
|  The  Principles  of  |  the  |  Christian  Religion,  |  agreea- 


W 

blv  to  the  |  Confession  of  Faith  |  Put  forth  by  upwards 
of  an  Hundred  Congregations  in  Great-  |  Britain,  July 
the  3d,  L6&9;  adopted  by  the  General  As-  |  sociation  of 
Philadelphia,  September  the  22d,  1742;  |  and  now 
received  by  Churches  of  the  same  I)e-  |  nomination  in 
most  of  the  United  States.  |  To  whieh  are  added,  |  The 
Proofs  from  Scriptures.  |  Boston:  \  Printed  and  sold  b$ 
Manning  and  Loring,  in  |  Sprtn^-IdOne, — 17i».">.  |  x°, 
24  pp.      (American  Antiquarian  Society.) 

17<)X. 

Extracts  |  from  a  |  Catechism.  |  in  which  the  |  Plainness 
and  Simplicity  of  |  Doctor  Watts  |  are  imitated:  |  And 
from  which  the  |  Technical  Terms  of  particular  Systems 
|  are  excluded.  |  Boston:  \  Printed  and  sold  by  Samuel 
Hall,  in  Cornhill.  |  1798.  |  18°,  22  pp.  (American 
Antiquarian  Society. ) 

The  Catechism  begins  : — 

"Question.     Can  you  tell  me  who  made  you?" 

Our  record  of  catechisms,  incomplete  as  it  is,  closes  with 
the  year  1800,  thus  excluding  the  publications  of  the 
present  century.  The  only  exception  that  has  been  made 
is  in  the  case  of  the  Hingham  catechisms,  which  are  brought 
down  to  1817.  The  Worcester  Association  of  Minister-, 
about  the  year  1.S20,  put  forth  a  catechism  for  children, 
which  ran  through  a  number  of  editions.1  In  1N22,  the 
same  Association  prepared  a  larger  catechism,- the  fifteenth 
edition  of  which  appeared  in  1841). 

'A  Catechism:  compiled  anil  recommended  by  the  AVorcester  Association  of 
Ministers,  for  the  instruction  and  improvement  of  children  and  youth.  .  .  .  Fifth 
edition,  with  hymns.  Worbesteri  Published  i><j  George  A.  Trumbull,  Manning  4 
Trumbull,  Printer*,  Worcester— V&l.  18°,  34  pp.  In  three  parts,  part  1.  beglnnlag: 
"Question,  Can  you  tell  me,  child,  who  made  you?" 

'A  Catechism,  in  Three  Parts.  Part  First,  containing  the  elements  of  religion 
and  molality:  designed  for  children.  Part  Second,  OOMitting  of  questions  and 
answers,  chiefly  historical, on  the  Old  Testament.  Part  Third,  consisting  of  Minilar 
questions  and  answers  on  the  New  Testament,  designed  for  ehildren  and  yoaag 


100 

Several  of  the  catechisms  that  had  been  prepared  for 
particular  towns  were  used  also  in  other  places.  The 
adoption  of  the  Hartford  catechism  in  Farmington  has 
already  been  referred  to.  In  Salem,  in  1(>(>0,  it  "was 
voted  that  Mr.  Cotton's  catechism  should  be  used  in  fami- 
lies for  teaching  children,  so  that  they  might  be  prepared 
for  public  catechising  in  the  congregation."1  The  Governor 
and  Council  of  Massachusetts,  on  March  10,  1669,  advised 
the  clergymen  of  all  towns  "  to  chatechize  and  instruct  all 
people  (especially  youth)  in  the  sound  principles  of  the 
Christian  Religion,  and  that  not  only  in  public,  but  privately 
from  house  to  house,  or  at  least  three,  four  or  more  fami- 
lies meeting  together  as  time  and  strength  may  permit ; 
taking  to  your  assistance  such  godly  and  grave  persons  as 
to  you  may  seem  expedient."5* 

The  younger  John  Cotton,  son  of  John  Cotton  of  Boston, 
was  minister  of  the  church  at  Plymouth  from  1(569,  the 
date  of  his  ordination,  to  1697.  In  November  of  the  first 
mentioned  year,  "began  Catechising  of  the  Children  by 
the  Pastor  (constantly  attended  by  the  Ruling  Elder)  once 
a  Fortnight,  the  Males  at  one  time  and  the  Females  at  the 
other,"  Perkins's  catechism  being  used  at  first,  and  the 
Assembly's  some  years  afterward.3  In  the  spring  of  the 
year  L694,  Mr.  Cotton  "introduced  a  new  Method  of  Cate- 
chising (in  which  he  used  the  Assemblies  shorter  Cate- 
chism) attending  it  on  Sabbath  Day  Noons  at  the  Meeting 
House,  the  Males  one  Sabbath  and  the  Females  another 
successively  :  and  then  preach'd  on  each  Head  of  Divinity, 
as  they  lie  in  order  in  that  Catechism: — this  Course  was 
constantly  attended   for  more   than  3  Years  from   Sabbath 


persons.  Compiled  and  recommended  by  the  Ministers  of  the  Worcester  Associa- 
t  ion  in  .Massachusetts.  Second  edition.  Boston:  Published  by  Cmiuiihtifs,  Billiard, 
A- c<>.  No.  184  Washington  Street.  1825.  18°,  54  i>i>.  It  begins :  "Question  1,  When 
><m  look  nji  t<>  the  sky,  what  do  you  see?"  The  prefatory  advertisement  is  dated 
Worcester,  May  18, 1882. 

1  Keifs  Annuls  uf  Snlnn  i  L8S7  >.  p.  207. 

'Felt's  Annuls  nj  Salem,  p.  236. 

» Sibley's  Harvard  Graduates,  vol.  i,  p,  499. 


101 

to  Sabbath,  till  the  Pastor's  Dismission."1     In   1675,  the 

Select  men  of  Billerica  passed  "an  order  that  all  children 
and  youth  from  eight  years  old  and  upwards,  should  be 
sent  l>\  their  parents  and  masters  to  the  reverend  Mr. 
Whiting,  to  receive  catechetical  instruction  at  such  times 
as  should  be  appointed."2 

The  Rev.  Doras  Clarke,  in  his  entertaining  address  on 
K Saying  the  Catechism,"3  describes  the  custom  as  it  existed 
at  Westhainpton,  under  the  ministry  of  the  Rev.  Enoch 
Hale,  seventy-five  years  before  : — 

"The  Catechism,  as  we  studied  and  recited  it,  was  divided 
into  three  parts.  The  first  part  comprehended  all  between, 
'  What  is  the  chief  end  of  man?'  and  'the  First  (  oimnand- 
ment.'  The  second  embraced  all  the  'Commandments,' 
together  with  '  What  is  required?'  and  '  What  is  forbidden?' 
in  them  all,  and  'The  reasons  annexed  for  observing  them." 
The  third  included  all  from  the  question,  'Is  any  man  able 
perfectly  to  keep  the  commandments  of  God?'  to  the  end. 
The  Catechism  was  required,  by  the  public  sentiment  of 
the  town,  to  be  perfectly  committed  to  memory,  and  recited 
in  the  meeting-house  by  all  the  children  and  youth  between 
the  ages  of  eight  and  fifteen.  These  public  recitations  were 
held  on  three  different  Sabbaths  in  the  summer  of  every 
year,  with  perhaps  a  fortnight  intervening  between  each  of 
them,  to  allow  sufficient  time  for  the  children  to  commit  to 
memory  the  division  assigned. 

When  the  time  arrived  for  commencing  the  exercise,  the 
excitement  was  tremendous.  As  the  great  battle  of  Trafal- 
gar was  about  to  begin  between  the  immense  armadas 
of  England  and  France,  Lord  Nelson  displayed  at  the 
masthead  of  his  flag-ship,  'The  Victory,"  the  exciting  procla- 
mation, streaming  in  the  wind,  'ENGLAND  EXPECTS  BVEB1 
max  to  do  ins  duty"!'  That  proclamation  woke  all  the 
national  enthusiasm  of  his  officers  and  men,  and  strung 
every  nerve  for  the  awiul  conflict.      Scarcely  less  impera- 


1  Sibley's  Harvard  Craduates,  vol.  i,  p.  501. 

2  Sibley's  Ha  mini  Graduates,  vol.  i,  p.  364. 

3  "Saying  the  Catechism"  Seventy-Five  Years  Ago,  anil  the  Historical  Results. 
An  Address  delivered  before  the  New  Knjrland  Historic  Genealogical  Society.  I >•■.-.  4. 
1878.    By  Dorus  Clarke,  D.D.,  Boston.    Boston :  Lee  and  Shepard,  1879.    16°,  46  pp. 


102 

ti\c  iiiul  exciting  whs  the  annua]  announcement  by  Father 
Hale:  'Sabbath  after  next,  f  lie  first  division  of  the  Cate- 
chism ir ill  be  recited  here.''  It  sent  a  thrill  through  the 
town. 

There  was  'no  discharge  in  that  war.'  Public  sentiment 
demanded  the  most  implicit  obedience  by  all  concerned. 
The  old  Primers  were  looked  up,  new  ones  bought,  and  the 
parents  Bet  their  children  to  the  work  at  once  and  in 
earliest.  Every  question  and  every  answer  must  be  most 
thoroughly  committed  to  memory,  verbatim  et  literatim  et 
punchmfim.  The  time  for  recitation  was  at  the  close  of 
the  afternoon  service.  All  the  children  in  the  town, 
dressed  in  their  '  Sabba-dav  clothes,'  were  arranged  shoulder 
to  shoulder, — the  boys  on  the  one  side,  and  the  girls  on 
the  other  of  the  broad  aisle,  beginning  at  the  'deacon's 
seat'  beneath  the  pulpit,  and  extending  down  that  aisle, 
and  round  through  the  side  aisles  as  far  as  was  necessary. 
The  parents — 'children  of  a  larger  growth' — crowded  the 
pews  and  galleries,  tremblingly  anxious  that  their  little 
ones  might  acquit  themselves  well.  Many  a  mother  bent 
over  that  scene  with  solemn  interest,  handkerchief  in  hand, 
the  tears  of  joy  ready  to  fall  if  their  children  should  suc- 
ceed, and  tears  of  sorrow  if  they  should  happen  to  fail. 
It  was  a  spectacle  worthy  of  a  painter. 

Father  Hale,  standing  in  the  pulpit,  put  out  the  questions 
to  the  children  in  order;  and  each  one,  when  the  question 
came  to  him,  was  expected  to  wheel  out  of  the  line,  a  la 
mililaire,  into  the  broad  aisle,  and  face  the  minister,  and 
make  his  very  best  obeisance,  and  answer  the  question 
put  to  him  without  the  slightest  mistake.  To  be  told,  that 
is,  to  be  prompted  or  corrected  by  the  minister,  was  not  a 
thing  to  be  permitted  by  any  child,  who  expected  there- 
after to  have  any  reputation  in  that  town  for  good  scholar- 
ship. In  this  manner  the  three  divisions  of  the  Catechism 
were  successively  recited,  while  many  were  the  'knees 
which  smote  one  against  another;'  and  many  are  the  per- 
sons who  recollect,  and  will  long  recollect,  the  palpitating 
heart,  the  tremulous  voice,  the  quivering  frame,  with  which 
for  several  years  they  went  through  that  terrible  ordeal. 
Rut,  it"  the  nervous  effects  of  that  exercise  were  appalling, 
the  moral  influence  was  most  salutary ;  and  I  desire,  in 
this  presence,  to  acknowledge  my  deep  obligations  to  my 


103 

parents,  who  long  since,  as  I  trust,  'passed  into  the  skies.' 
fdr  their  fidelity  in  requiring  me,  niueh  against  my  will,  to 
commit  to  memory  the  Assembly's  Catechism,  and  to  'say' 
it  six  or  seven  years  in  succession  in  the  old  meeting-house 
in  Westhampton,  amid  tremblings  and  agitations  I  can 
never  cease  to  remember." 

In  conclusion  I  will  mention  a  singular  penalty,  in  one 
of  the  New  England  town  records,  the  name  of  which  is 
not  given,  entered  against  a  boy  who  had  been  convicted 
ot  stealing  apples.  The  culprit  was  permitted  to  choose 
his  punishment,  either  to  be  imprisoned  for  a  certain  speci- 
fied time,  or,  before  the  next  Saturday  night,  to  learn  and 
repeat  to  the  magistrate  the  whole  of  the  catechism  !  The 
record  does  not  tell  which  of  the  two  he  chose.1 

Besides  the  acknowledgments  made  in  several  places,  to 
gentlemen  who  have  kindly  furnished  information  for  these 
notes,  my  thanks  are  due  to  Mr.  Edmund  M.  Barton, 
librarian  of  the  American  Antiquarian  Society,  and  to  his 
assistant,  Miss  Mary  Robinson,  for  their  courtesy  and  help. 
I  am  also  indebted  to  Rev.  Charles  A.  Briggs,  D.D.,  and 
to  Rev.  Charles  R.  Gillett,  librarian  of  Union  Theological 
Seminary,  for  similar  courtesies  and  for  the  use  of  books. 


1  Livermore's  Origin  .  .  .  of  the  New  England  Primer,  p.  8. 


101 


APPENDIX. 


To  enumerate  the  other  Catechisms  used  by  the  English  non- 
conformists and  others  in  the  sixteenth  and  seventeenth  centuries 
would  require  more  space  than  can  be  spared  here.  The  follow- 
ing are  described  as  specimens  : — 

1556. 

The  Cate-  |  chisme  or  manner  |  to  teache  children  the  Christian 
religion,  |  wheriu  the  Minister  demandeth  the  que-  |  stion,  and 
the  childe  maketh  answere.  |  Made  by  the  excellent  Doctor  and 
Pastor  |  in  Christes  Churche,  Iohn  Caluin.  |  [Printer's  mark 
with  large  letter  Y.]  |  Ephe.  ii.  |  The  doctrine  of  the  Apos- 
tells  and  Prophetes  is  j  the  fondation  of  Christes  Churche.  | 
[Geneva :]  By  Iohn  Crespin.  |  m.  i>.  lvi.  |  [Colophon:]  Im- 
printed at  Geneua  by  Iohn  \  Crespin.  Anno  D.  m.  d.  lvi.  | 
the  tenthe  of  february.  \  Sm.  8°,  167,  (1)  pp.  (Lenox  col- 
lection.) 

This  is  appended  to,  and  forms  part  of : — 

The  forme  of  pray-  |  ers  and  ministra-  |  tion  of  the  Sacraments, 
&c.  vsed  in  the  |  Englishe  Congregation  at  Geneua:  and  | 
approaed,  by  the  famous  and  godly  lear-  |  ned  man,  Iohn 
Caluyn.  |  [Printer's  mark  with  large  letter  Y  and  Bible  verses.] 
|  Imprinted  at  Geneva  by  \  Iohn  Crespiin  m.  d.  lvi.  |  Sm.  8°, 
title  with  contents  on  verso,  preface  pp.  3-24 ;  the  form  of 
prayers,  etc.,  pp.  33-93,  (1)  ;  One  and  fiftie  Psalmes  of 
David  in  F.nglishe  metre,  by  Thomas  Sterneholde  and  others, 
title  and  pp.  1-1. V.),  (1)  ;  the  Catechism  as  above,  title  and  pp. 
3-167,  (1).     (Lenox  collection.) 

The  first  two  questions  of  the  catechism  are  : — 

"f  The  Minister.     What  is  the  principal]  and  chiefe  ende  of 
mans  life? 
f  The  Childe.     To  kuowe  God. 


105 

^[  The  minister.     What  moueth  the  to  say  so? 

IF  TJie  childe.  Because  he  hath  created  vs,  and  placed  vs  in 
this  worlde,  to  set  forth  his  glory  in  vs.  And  it  is  good  reason 
that  we  employ  our  whole  life  to  the  auauncement  of  hys  glory, 
seing  he  is  the  originall,  beginning,  &  fountayne  thereof." 

An  edition  of  the  above  catechism,  Edinbrough,  R.  Lekpri- 
vik,  1564,  is  in  the  British  Museum;  one  with  the  colophon, 
liu printed  at  London,  by  IJion  Kingston.  Anno  Domini.  1568, 
is  in  the  Union  Theological  Seminary,  New  York ;  and  another, 
Imprinted  at  London,  by  Ihon  Kyngston,  1580,  is  in  the  Liver- 
more  Collection.  The  later  editions  of  Calvin's  catechism  are 
too  numerous  to  mention. 

1579. 

A  briefe  Instruction,  |  collected  for  the  exercise  of  youth,  |  and 
simple  sort  of  people.  |  [Colophon :  London,']  1579.  Sm.  8°, 
18  leaves  (2-19),  unpaged.  A2 — C3  in  eights,  the  title  (A,) 
lacking.     (Livermore  collection.) 

The  author  was  Thomas  Cobhead,  and  the  book  was  printed  by 
Ralph  Newbery.     The  first  two  questions  are : — 

"  Demaund.     How  wast  yu  created? 
Aunsioer.     By  the  hand  of  God. 
Demaund.     Wherof  wast  thou  created? 
Aunswer.     Of  the  dust  of  the  grounde." 

1591. 

A  Short  |  and  plaine  Instruction,  for  the  |  help  and  furtherance 
of  such  |  as  are  carefull  to  know  the  |  way  to  euerlasting  life. 
|  Whereto  are  added  the  places  of  |  Scripture,  which  serue  to 
prooue  the  |  points  of  doctrine  herein  contained :  |  together 
with  certaine  profitable  notes  |  set  downe  in  the  margent,  to 
make  |  euery  proofe  more  plaine  con-  |  cerning  that  point  for 
the  |  which  it  is  alleadged.  |  By  Robert  Linaker.  |  Seeke  ye 
first  the  kingdome  of  heaven,  and  the  righteous-  |  nes  thereof, 
and  all  these  things  shalbe  ministred  vn-  |  to  you.  Mat.  6, 
33.  |  At  London  |  Printed  by  Thomas  Orwin,  for  Thomas  | 
Woodcock.  1591.  |  Sm.  8°,  (36)  leaves.  A— E4  in  eights. 
(Livermore  collection.) 


106 

The  address  "To  the  Reader"  states  that  this  is  an  improved 
edition  of  a  catechism  published  some  time  before.  The  first 
two  questions  are  : — 

"  Question.  Who  hath  giuen  you  your  life :  that  is,  your 
bodie  and  soule? 

Answere.  That  God  in  whome  all  creatures  liue,  mooue,  and 
haue  all  their  being. 

Q.     To  what  ende  hath  God  giuen  you  your  life  ? 

A.     To  seeke  his  glory." 

1591. 

So  shorte  a  Gate-  |  chisme,  that  whosoe-  |  uer  cannot,  or  wil  not 
learne,  |  are  not  in  any  wise  to  be  ad-  |  mitted  to  the  Lords 
supper.  |  Imprinted  at  London  |  by  the  Deputie  of  Christo-  \ 
pher  Barker,  printer  to  \  the  Queenes  most  excel-  |  lent  Maiestie. 
|  1591.  |  Sm.  8°,  (4)  leaves.  A  in  four.  (Livermore  col- 
lection.) 

The  first  two  questions  are  : — 

"Question.     Who  made  thee? 

Answere.     God. 

Q.     What  is  God? 

A.     He  is  Almightie,  the  maker  and  gouernour  of  all  things." 

1600. 

A  Treasvrie  |  of  Catechisme,  or  Chri-  |  stian  Instrvction.  |  The 
first  part,  which  is  concerning  the  morall  |  Law  or  ten  Com- 
mandements  of  Almightie  |  God :  with  certaine  Questions  and 
|  Aunswers  preparatory  to  |  the  same.  |  .  .  .  |  London,  \ 
Printed  by  Richard  Field  for  Thomas  Man.  |  1600.  |  Large 
8°,  (10),  308,  (1)  pp.     (Union  Theological  Seminary.) 

The  dedication  and  preface  are  signed  by  Robert  Allen,  a 
Minister  of  the  word  of  God.  The  second  part  was  published 
in  1606,  under  the  title  of  The  Doctrine  of  the  Gospel. 

[1616?] 

A  Short  Catechisme,  contayning  the  Principles  of  Religion,  verie 
profitable  for  ajl  sorts  of  People.  The  twelfth  Impression. 
London,  1628.     8°.     (Library  of  the  Church  of  Scotland.) 


107 

The  author  was  the  Rev.  John  Ball,  minister  of  Whitmore, 
near  Newcastle,  in  Staffordshire,  who  died  in  1640.  According 
to  Mitchell's  Catechisms  of  the  Second  Reformation  (p.  lxxxiii), 
an  edition  of  the  Short  Catechism,  dated  1616,  is  in  the  library 
of  Emmanuel  College,  Cambridge.  Other  editions  are  as  fol- 
lows : — 

The  eighteenth  Impression.  London,  Printed  by  R.  Bishop 
for  Robert  Bird,  at  the  signe  of  the  Bible  in  Saint  Laurence-lane. 
1637.     8°,  (2),  43  pp.     (Union  Theological  Seminary.) 

The  Four-and-thirtieth  Impression.  London,  1653.  12°. 
(British  Museum.) 

All  of  these  editions  are  anonymous,  and  without  the  exposi- 
tions.    The  first  two  questions  and  answers  are  as  follows : — 

"  Q.  What  ought  to  be  the  Chiefe  and  continuall  care  of 
every  man  in  this  life? 

A.     To  glorifie  God,  and  save  his  soule. 

Q.     Whence  must  wee  take  direction  to  attaine  hereunto? 

A.     Out  of  the  word  of  God  alone." 

The  catechism  was  also  published  in  a  larger  form,  with  expo- 
sitions, and  under  the  following  title  : — 

A  Short  Treatise,  Contayning  all  the  Principall  Grounds  of 
Christian  Religion.  By  way  of  Questions  and  Answers,  very 
profitable  for  all  men,  but  especially  for  Householders.  The 
Seventh  Impression.     London,  1629.     8°.     (British  Museum.) 

Ball's  catechism  in  this  form,  with  the  expositions,  was  repub- 
lished in  the  following  editions  : — 

The  eighth  Impression.  London,  Printed  by  William  Stansby 
and  are  to  be  sold  by  Edward  Brewster  and  Robert  Bird,  1631. 
8°,  (12),  242  pp.     (Livermore  collection.) 

The  tenth  Impression.  London,  Printed  by  William  Stmishy. 
and  are  to  be  sold  by  Edward  Brewster  and  Robert  Bird.  1635. 
8°,  (12),  242  pp.     (Union  Theological  Seminary.) 

The  eleventh  Impression.  London,  Printed  by  R.  Bishop,  for 
Robert  Bird,  at  the  Signe  of  the  Bible  in  Saint  Laurence  Lane. 
1637.     8°,  (12),  116-f  pp.     (Rev.  Dr.  Charles  A.  Briggs.) 


108 

The  thirteenth  Impression.  London,  1650.  8°.  (British 
Museum.) 

The  fourteenth  Impression ;  more  corrected  then  the  former. 
London:  Printed  by  John  Wright  at  the  Kings  Head  in  the  Old 
Bayley,  1654.     8°,  (24),  349  pp.     (Livermore  collection.) 

The  fourteenth  Impression.  London,  1670.  8°.  (British 
Museum.) 

1632. 

A  Practicall  Catechisme :  or,  A.  View  of  those  principall  truths 
according  to  Godlinesse,  which  are  contayned  in  the  Catechisme 
...  By  D[aniel]  R[ogers].  London,  Printed  by  L  N".  for 
Samuel  Man,  1632.  4°,  (16),  268,  135  pp.  (Dr.  J.  Ham- 
mond Trumbull.) 

Daniel  Rogers  was  the  elder  brother  of  Ezekiel  Rogers,  author 
of  the  Rowley  Catechism.  He  was  minister  at  Haversham  in 
Buckinghamshire,  and  afterwards  at  Wethersfield,  where  he  died 
in  1652.  His  catechism  is  said  to  have  been  much  used  by  the 
Puritans,  and  to  some  extent  in  New  England.  Two  other 
editions  were  published,  as  follows : — 

A  |  Practicall  |  Catechisme :  j  Or,  |  A  view  of  those  principall 
truths  of  |  the  word,  which  most  directly  tend  to  life  |  and 
godlinesse,  |  Divided  into  three  Parts.  |  The  first,  shewing  the 
misery  of  all  men  by  nature,  in  respect  of  sinne  |  and  punish- 
ment ;  with  the  true  use  of  the  morrall  Law  in  that  behalfe.  | 
The  second,  manifesting  the  remedy  ordained  by  God  to  deliver 
|  them  from  this  misery,  together  with  the  meane  of  receiving 
it,  |  viz.  Faith,  and  how  it  may  be  attained.  |  The  third, 
declaring  how  those  who  are  delivered,  ought  to  order  |  their 
whole  Conversation ;  with  the  meanes  to  procure  it,  the  lets  | 
resisting,  and  the  priviledges  encouraging  to  it.  |  Serving  for 
the  use  of  those  who  first  heard  them  taught,  as  also  for  |  all 
otlicrs  who  shall  carefully  peruse  them.  |  The  second  Edition, 
corrected,  enlarged,  and  restored  to  order.  |  By  D.  R.  B.  in 
Divin.  and  .Minister  of  the  Gospell.  |  .  .  .  |  Printed  at  London 
by  I.  Cotes,  for  Iohn  BeUamie,  at  the  three  golden  \  Lyons  in 
Cornehill,  neere  the  Royall  Exchange.  1633.  |  4°,  (40),  115, 
244,  192  pp.     (Union  Theological  Seminary.) 


L09 

The  Third  Edition  .  .  .  much  enlarged.  London:  Printed 
jor  John  Bellamie&  Ralph  Smith,  1640.    4°.    (British  Museum.) 

The  |  Racovian  Catechisme ;  |  wherein  |  You  have  the  substance 
|  of  the  Confession  of  those  Churches,  |  which  in  the  Kingdom 
of  Poland,  and  |  Great  Dukedome  of  Lithuania,  and  other  | 
Provinces  appertaining  to  that  Kingdom,  |  do  affirm,  That  no 
other  save  the  Father  |  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  is  that  one 
God  of  |  Israel,  and  that  the  man  Jesus  of  Nazareth,  who  | 
was  born  of  the  Virgin,  and  no  other  be-  |  sides,  or  before 
him,  is  the  onely  |  begotten  Sonne  of  |  God.  |  Printed  at 
Amsterledam,  for  Brooer  \  Jam,  1652.  |  8°,  (6),  176  pp. 
(Livermore  collection.) 

Was  this  Unitarian  catechism  edited  by  John  Biddle?  The 
first  two  questions  and  answers  are  : — 

"  Question.  I  would  fain  learn  of  you  what  the  Christian 
Religion  is? 

Answer.  The  Christian  Religion  is  the  way  of  attaining  eter- 
nall  life,  discovered  by  God. 

Q.     But  where  is  it  discovered? 

A.  In  the  holy  Scriptures,  especially  that  of  the  new  Cove- 
nant." 

1654. 

A  |  Twofold  Catechism :  |  The  One  simply  called  |  A  Scripture- 
Catechism  ;  |  The  Other,  |  A  brief  Scripture-Catechism  |  for 
Children.  |  .  .  .  |  By  John  Biddle,  Master  of  Arts  |  of  the 
University  of  Oxford.  |  .  .  .  |  London,  Printed  by  J.  Cottrel, 
for  Ri.  Moone,  at  \  the  seven  stars  !,<  /'aid's  Church-yard,  neer 
|  the  great  North-door.  1654.  |  8°,  (32),  141,  (8),  34  pp. 
(Livermore  collection.) 

For  writing  and  publishing  this  book,  the  author  was  impris- 
oned and  the  catechism  was  burned  by  the  common  hangman,  in 
December,  1654. 

The  first  part  begins  : — 

"  Question.  What  doth  the  Scripture  testifie  concerning  its 
own  authority? 

Answer.     All  Scripture  is  given  by  inspiration  of  God." 


110 


The  second  part  begins  : — 


"  Qu.  What  saith  the  Scripture  touching  its  own  Authority, 
Usefulness,  and  Sufficiency? 

A.  The  holy  Scriptures  are  able  to  make  wise  unto  salvation, 
through  faith  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus,"  etc. 

A  Latin  version  was  published  under  the  title  below : — 

Dure  Catecheses :  |  Quarum  prior  simpliciter  vocari  potest  |  Cate- 

chesis  Scripturalis  |  Posterior,  |  Brevis  Catechesis  Scripturalis 

|  pro  Parvulis.  |  In\juibus  prrecipua  Christianre  Religionis  ca- 

|  pita  per  modum  qurestionum  proposita,  re-  |  sponsis  idoneis, 

ex  ipsissirnis  Sacrarum  Li-  |  terarura  verbis,  exclusis  conse- 

quentiis  com-  |   mentationibusq;,  de  promptis  explicantur.    | 

Primurn  quidem  |  A'  Johanne  Biddello,  A.  M.  Uni-  |  versitatis 

Oxoniensis  |   In  eorum   gratiam,  qui  meri  Christiani  malunt 

audi-   |  re,  quam  hujus  vel  illius  sectre  homines;    quando-  | 

quidem  omnes  Christianorum  sectre,  quocunque  |  nomine  a  se 

mutno  distinctre,  vel  plus  vel  minus  |  a  simplicitate  &  veritate 

Sacrarum  Literarum  de-   |   flexerunt;    Anglic^  compositre;    | 

Sed  postea,  |  Qud  ab  extraneis  quoque  legi  intelligiq;  possent, 

|  in  Latinam  linguam  translatre  |  Per  Nathanaelem  Stuckey, 

|  Anno  Christi  m  dc  lx  iv.  retatis  ver6  sure  xv.  |  [London? 

1665?]  8°,  214,  errata  (1)  pp.    (Union  Theological  Seminary.) 

The  second  part  begins  on  page  153  with  its  own  title,  Brevis 
Catechesis  Scripturalis  pro  Parvulis  .  .  .  Anno  epochal  Ghristi- 
niiii-  m  in  i. xv.  On  the  back  of  the  title  of  this  copy  is  the  fol- 
lowing mauuscript  note:  " Nath.  Stuckey  was  partly  bred  up  in 
Grammar  &  Logick  by  Biddle,  or  at  least  by  his  care,  &  died 
Sept.  27.  an.  1665  aged  16  years,  and  was  buried  close  to  the 
grave  of  Biddle,  as  it  appears  by  an  inscription  engraven  for  him 
on  one  side  (at  the  bottom)  of  Biddle's  monument  in  the  Burial 
Ground  in  More  fields." 

1657. 

The  Farmers  |  Catechize,  |  Or  |  A  Religious  Parly  be-  |  tween 
the  Father  |  and  the  Son.  |  Being  a  profitable  and  plea-  |  sing 
Discourse  running  tho-  |  rough  the  whole  Scripture,  |  and  it  is 
Dedicated  to  all  |  those  honest  Families  that  |  desires  Christ 
may  dwell  in  |  their  hearts.  |  Written  by  William  Blake,  May 


Ill 

1.  1657.  |  London,  Printed,  and  are  to  be  sold  \  by  Mr.  Butler 
in  hincolna-Inn-fields,  \  neer  the  Three-Tun  Tavern,  by  \  the 
Market-place,  1657.  |  8°,  (2),  75  pp.     (Livermore  collection.) 

The  catechism  begins  : — 

u Father.  Come  Sirrah,  if  yon  will  be  a  good  boy,  learn  yonr 
Catecbke,  and  then  teach  yonr  Brothers  and  Sisters,  I  will  give 
you  a  farthing. 

Son.     Well,  Sir,  do  you  ask  and  I  will  answer. 

Father.     Quest.     Who  was  the  first  man  God  made? 

Son.     Ansio.     Adam. 

Q.     What  did  he  make  him  of? 

A.     Dust." 


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